BREVARD, N.C.— Averett University men's basketball rallied from a big second-half deficit to take the lead late, but Covenant College fended off the Cougars 77-73 in non-conference action Saturday in a game hosted by Brevard College.

Averett (0-1), playing its first game of the season, trailed for most of the first half and by as many as 13 points with 14:35 left in the second period before making a comeback. The Cougars used a 15-3 rally to pull within 53-52 of Covenant (4-3) with 9:06 to play following a layup by senior Bryson Davis. The Scots momentarily held off Averett until Davis drained a 3-pointer to tie the game, 59-59, with 7:47 remaining.

Davis, who finished with 14 points, gave the Cougars their first lead since the 12:21 mark of the first half with his layup and free throw with 4:26 to go in the game, which put Averett in front 67-65.

Averett led 73-71 with under a minute to play before Zach Allen drilled a 3-pointer to surge Covenant back in front by one. Averett missed a contested layup on its next possession but still had a chance late when Covenant hit one of two free throws. Yet, a turnover forced the Cougars to foul, putting Covenant's Chris Barnette on the line. This time, he made both with 3.3 seconds to go to seal the game.

Averett led 17-15 in the first half before Covenant took advantage of a four-minute scoring drought by the Cougars. In that time, the Scots built a nine-point lead to help them take a 38-31 lead into halftime. Covenant shot better than 72 percent from the floor in the first half before cooling in the second half.

Redshirt junior Isaiah Jones led Averett with 17 points, while freshman Jordan Lewis had an impressive collegiate debut with 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Senior Montre' Cash added 14 points and a career-high 10 assists, while senior Raymond Bullock III led Averett with eight rebounds.

Averett's defense forced 17 turnovers which turned into 20 points.

Two-time USA South Conference Player of the Year and preseason All-America Will Crumly led Covenant with 25 points, while Promise Igbanu had a double-double of 11 points and 10 boards.

Averett is scheduled to return to action on Wednesday at non-conference foe Bridgewater College at 4:30 p.m.