DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball crushed conference foe Greensboro College 90-56 on Tuesday night at the Grant Center for the Cougars' fifth win a row.

Averett (11-6, 7-2 USA South) was ignited early by a strong start defensively, including a big block and two steals in the first six minutes by sophomore Isaiah Jones as the Cougars built a 17-5 lead with 11:56 to go in the first half. Averett held a 12-point lead multiple times in the period before taking a 36-29 advantage into halftime.

The Cougars' offense began to put Greensboro (11-6, 5-4 USA South) away thanks to a big surge in the opening minutes of the second period. Averett outscored the Pride 16-6 in the first four-plus minutes to give Greensboro a 52-35 deficit. Greensboro got as close as 13 points moments later before Averett pulled away down the stretch behind a team-high 20 points from Jones and 19 points from junior Montre' Cash. Both Jones and Cash also had four steals.

Averett also got nine points and six boards from freshman Corey Baldwin, eight points and six rebounds from senior Timothy Henry and eight points from freshman Bryson McLaughlin. Averett shot 50 percent from the field for the game and out-rebounded Greensboro 43-35. The Cougars' defense also tallied a season-high 18 steals while forcing 21 turnovers.

Greensboro was led by Keyford Langley's 15 points — all on 3-pointers.

Averett has won three in a row against Greensboro and five of the last six meetings.

The Cougars' win, coupled with Methodist University's 112-110 double-overtime loss to Pfeiffer University on Tuesday night, puts Averett in a tie atop the USA South Conference East Division standings.

Averett hosts Pfeiffer at 2 p.m. Saturday.