DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball pulled away for a 78-64 non-conference win over Shenandoah University on Sunday in the Grant Center.

Averett (1-4) held off a run by Shenandoah (1-4) in the second half to pick up its first win of the season. The Hornets pulled within 53-49 with nine minutes to play. The Cougars, however, followed with a 9-0 run sparked by senior Jalen Rowell and junior Raja Milton to extend the lead back to 13.

Rowell hit numerous big shots down the stretch as he scored a career-high 19 points off the bench. He also finished with five rebounds and three steals.

Although Shenandoah led early in the game, it was never by more than two possessions. The two teams traded leads multiple times in the opening period and were tied 27-27 before sophomore Jordan Lewis drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Cougars a three-point advantage at halftime.

Lewis finished with a career-high 17 points. Junior Bryson McLaughlin tallied a double-double with 10 points to go with a career-best 17 rebounds. He also had two blocks. The Cougars also got nine points from Milton, eight points from junior Miles Pauldin and five points, five rebounds, three blocks and three steals from sophomore Jason Sellars II.

The Cougars' defense finished with 18 steals and six blocks as a team while winning the battle on the boards 50-43.

Averett returns to action on Dec. 4 at Christopher Newport University.