DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball dropped a conference matchup to Methodist University, 85-76, on Wednesday night at the Grant Center.

Averett (7-17, 7-9 USA South) trailed by only five at halftime thanks to sophomore Montre' Cash's buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the baseline at the opposite end of the court. The Cougars chipped away, tying the game at 45-45 on another Cash 3-pointer with 12:42 to play. Methodist (12-12, 10-6 USA South), however, managed to extend its lead back to double-digits. Averett got within five points on sophomore Bryson Davis' basket from beyond the arc with 4:44 remaining before the Monarchs went on an 8-0 run to pull away late.

The Cougars' offense came out flat early on while the Monarchs flourished, shooting 52 percent from the floor in the first half. Methodist led 31-18 before Averett made a run late in the period thanks to six consecutive points from junior Timothy Henry and Cash's big swish at the buzzer, which got the Cougars within 34-29 at the break.

Methodist, which got 24 points apiece from Kaymon Mitchell and Dante Burden, shot 73.9 percent in the second half to finish at 62.5 percent from the field for the game.

Cash led the Cougars in scoring for the third consecutive game with 23 points. Henry added 19 points and Davis netted career-highs of 17 points and nine rebounds.

Averett, which has assured itself either a No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the East Division, will host Berea College on Senior Day at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Grant Center to end the regular season before heading into conference tournament play next Tuesday.