FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Averett University women's basketball jumped out early on Sunday in a 72-62 victory over Methodist University it route to its third straight USA South Conference victory. 
 
Methodist (2-15, 1-8 USA South) pulled within three points of the Cougars at 16-13 to end the first quarter, however, a 21-7 second quarter run put Averett up 37-20 at the break.
 
Averett (11-6, 5-3 USA South) came out shooting well to open the third quarter, opening up a 27-point advantage with just over six minutes remaining in the quarter. 
 
The Monarchs battled back over the final 16 minutes of play, cutting the deficit to under 10 points, but the damage had been done early as Averett held on for the victory. 
 
Senior Kiara Smith with a season-high 15 points, tying sophomore Camryn Lunsford who also recorded a team-high 15 points, adding a team-high nine rebounds. 
 
Senior Samantha Tecson also played well for the Cougars, recording a season-high 11 points, while senior Brooke Carthon finished with 11 points and equaled Lunsford's team-high nine rebounds. 
 
Carthon's 11-point effort moved her further up the all-time scoring list as the guard surpassed Ashley Washington for fifth place all-time.
 
Carthon also finished the afternoon with a game-high four assists, tying senior Ravyn Johnson's mark of four assists as the Cougars dished out 17 assists on the afternoon. 
 
Averett finished the contest with an impressive 44-26 points in the paint margin, while also racking up a 20-11 second chance points edge. 
 
The Cougars return to action on Saturday when they battle Salem College in USA South action on the road beginning at 2 p.m.