ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — The Averett University women's basketball team used a strong fourth-quarter performance to pull away and top Virginia Wesleyan University, 63-49, in the Jean Edge Classic hosted by N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday evening.

Averett (3-2) got things started quickly, jumping out to a 9-2 lead in the first few minutes of the first quarter. However, Virginia Wesleyan (1-4) countered with a hot streak of its own, bouncing back to leave the Cougars down 22-21 after one quarter of play.

Averett bounced back with a strong defensive effort in the second quarter, holding the Marlins to just four points as it took a 33-26 lead heading into halftime. At the end of the first half, freshman Courtney Scott led the team with nine points, three assists and three steals.

The Marlins got some momentum going to start the second half, scoring 13 points in the third quarter to cut Averett's lead to 41-39 heading into the fourth.

Things were tight to start the fourth quarter, until the Cougars pulled away late thanks to two 3-pointers from senior Samantha Tecson with under three minutes left in the game to give Averett a 56-44 lead. The Cougars built off this momentum to pull away and maintain the lead for the team's third win of the season.

In the win, sophomore Camryn Lunsford scored a career-high 15 points while shooting 5-8 from the field and 4-6 from the free throw line. Scott joined her in double figures with 11 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Seniors Brooke Carthon and Ravyn Johnson each notched double-digit rebounds, as Carthon recorded nine points and a team-high 11 rebounds while Johnson totaled six points and 10 rebounds.

Averett returns to action on Sunday when it takes on St. Mary's College of Maryland at 2 p.m.