DANVILLE, Va. — For the second consecutive game, sophomore Montre' Cash set a career-high after scoring 39 points, but it wasn't enough as the Averett University men's basketball team's valiant comeback effort fell just short in a 91-89 loss to William Peace University on the road on Saturday.

After trailing by as many as 21 points early in the first half, the Cougars quickly mounted the comeback effort, cutting the deficit to just three points heading into halftime. Averett (7-16, 7-8 USA South) held the advantage on the boards, 38-27, and won the turnover battle, 16-9, but William Peace (12-11, 8-7 USA South) shot a lights out 17-29 from 3-point range that proved to be the difference in the game.

The Pacers' hot shooting was present from the start of the game, as they jumped out to a 30-9 lead with 10:29 remaining in the first half. From that point on, with the help of 23 first-half points from Cash, Averett closed the first half on a dominant 31-13 run to get back in the game.

It was a back-and-forth affair throughout the second half, as the Cougars never quite took the lead but William Peace never led by more than eight points. This got even closer in the final 3:30 of the game, as the Pacers never led by more than four points and Averett both tied it and got within one point on several occasions. However, the Cougars could never quite take the lead as William Peace closed out the narrow win.

Cash led the team with his career-high 39 points on 13-29 shooting and 9-9 from the free throw line, while adding seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Junior Tim Henry was next up with 19 points and nine rebounds on 8-15 from the field. Junior Moriba Diaby joined them with his second straight game in double-digit scoring with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Averett has two home games to close out its regular season, starting with a matchup against Methodist University on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m.