DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball rallied from behind in the final minutes to beat Methodist University 70-62 on Tuesday, giving the four seniors a win on Senior Night while tying the program record with the Cougars' 12th win in a row.

The Cougars' win streak seemed on the ropes as Methodist (14-10, 10-6 USA South) held a 59-54 lead with 4:15 to play. Junior Montre' Cash eventually tied it, 59-59, with a pair of free throws at the 3:30 mark, and freshman Bryson McLaughlin put Averett (18-6, 14-2 USA South) ahead by one with a free throw a minute later.

Cash proved to be money late in the game. His jumper with 1:42 to play extended Averett's lead to 62-59. Cash then drew a charge at the other end, following that with a runner in the paint to give the Cougars a 64-59 advantage with 54.2 seconds remaining.

Methodist got a pair of free throws on its ensuing passion to get back within three, but the Cougars sealed the victory by hitting six of their final 10 free throws in the final 41 seconds. On two of those misses, the Cougars got the offensive rebound to eat additional clock before Methodist was forced to foul.

The 12 consecutive wins tied the Averett program record, which was set by the 2008-09 team's efforts that included three USA South Tournament victories and a win in the NCAA Tournament First Round.

With the 2019-20 USA South East Division regular season crown already clinched and the top seed locked up following last Saturday's win at Covenant College, the Cougars were able to send seniors Timothy Henry, Moriba Diaby, Ian Best and Vince Contreras out with a win on Senior Night in their final regular season game at the Grant Center. However, it didn't come easy against Methodist, which is still battling for the second seed in the East. Although Averett led 21-14 following a transition dunk by sophomore Isaiah Jones, the Monarchs went on a 9-0 run to take the lead with 5:13 left in the first period.

Methodist, which took a 33-31 advantage into halftime, grew its lead to five points early in the second half. The two teams stayed within a two-possession scoring margin down the stretch until the Cougars pulled away in the final minute.

Henry led Averett with 19 points and six rebounds. Jones, who gave the Cougars a shot of momentum with a big 3-pointer midway through the second half, totaled 15 points, five rebounds and two blocks, while Cash finished 14 points. As a team, Averett out-rebounded Methodist 44-24 and held the Monarchs to under 39 percent shooting from the floor.

Averett ends its regular season on the road at Piedmont College on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Cougars return home for their USA South Tournament quarterfinal matchup with East Division No. 4 seed N.C. Wesleyan College on Tuesday, Feb. 25.