DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball lost 61-42 to non-conference foe University of Lynchburg on Wednesday night at the Grant Center.

As Averett's offense looked to find its rhythm, Lynchburg (7-4) methodically built a 27-18 halftime lead and extended it to double-digits early in the second half. Averett (5-4) made a run midway through the period, trimming a 12-point deficit down to 35-31 on sophomore KeShawn Lewis' layup with 11:07 to play.

However, Lynchburg's hot shooting from outside pushed the Hornets' lead back to double figures thanks to a 10-2 run that included a pair of 3-pointers by Tharon Suggs. Averett, which shot a season-low 29.8 percent from the field, couldn't make up the difference over the final minutes.

Averett's defense limited Lynchburg to a season-low 36.4 percent from the floor, but the Hornets eight 3-pointers helped offset the cold shooting.

Senior Vince Contreras and freshman Miles Pauldin led Averett with eight points each, while junior Montre' Cash added six points, seven boards and five assists. Freshman Corey Baldwin also finished with six points and six rebounds for the Cougars, who were playing without their second leading scorer in sophomore Isaiah Jones.

T.C. Thacker paced the Hornets with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Suggs had a team-high 14 points.

Averett gets back to conference play on Tuesday when the Cougars play host to Brevard College at 7:30 p.m.