DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball made several runs in the second half but couldn't overcome its first-half deficit in a 69-56 season-opening loss to Hampden-Sydney College on Wednesday night in the Grant Center.
 
Hampden-Sydney (2-0), which entered the contest having already played a game this season, shot 46.4 percent from the floor and was 6-for-13 from 3-point range in the first half. Still, Averett (0-1) was tied 21-21 with just under eight minutes left in the first half before the Tigers made a 17-3 run to finish the period for a 38-24 halftime lead.
 
The Cougars made several comeback attempts in the second half, getting back within 11 multiple times. Hampden-Sydney, however, thwarted each run to maintain a double-digit lead as Averett ran out of time late.

Senior Jalen Rowell led Averett with a career-high 17 points off the bench and hit some key shots in the second half to give the Cougars momentum. Junior Bryson McLaughlin also had a career-high 14 points to go with six rebounds and two blocks, while sophomore Jordan Lewis scored 12 points in his first career start. Junior Corey Baldwin matched his career-high with 10 rebounds and dished out four assists. Sophomore Jason Sellars II also contributed nine rebounds and seven points.

Adam Brazil led Hampden-Sydney with 23 points. The Tigers finished with 11 made 3-pointers, helping account for the scoring margin.

Averett returns to action at home on Saturday when the Cougars face Eastern Mennonite University at 2 p.m. in the Grant Center.