ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Averett University men's basketball lost its conference opener 66-61 to N.C. Wesleyan College on Saturday as the Battling Bishops rallied to take the lead in the final minutes.

Tied at halftime, Averett (2-7, 0-1 USA South) jumped out in front at the start of the second period as the Cougars built a 39-34 lead on junior Corey Baldwin's layup with 14:08 to play. N.C. Wesleyan (7-3, 1-0 USA South), however, tied in less than five minutes later at 43-43. Averett re-established a 51-47 advantage on sophomore Jordan Lewis' jumper with 6:45 to go. Yet, once again, N.C. Wesleyan answered as the two teams traded the lead down the stretch.

N.C. Wesleyan went in front 56-55 on a dunk with 3:56 left and extended its lead to 60-55 while keeping Averett off the scoreboard until a pair of free throws with 1:53 remaining. The Cougars got within three points several times late, but the Bishops held on for the win.

Averett opened the game on a strong note and pulled away to a 22-8 lead following redshirt freshman Jem Lowrance's 3-pointer with 7:21 left in the first half. N.C. Wesleyan then limited Averett to just four points the rest of the way while chipping away and eventually tying the game, 26-26, at the break.

Baldwin led Averett with 18 points and added five rebounds, while Lewis had 12 points and matched his career-high of three assists. Lowrance chipped in nine points, with sophomore Jason Sellars II and junior Bryson McLaughlin each pulling in eight points and nine rebounds for the Cougars.

Averett returns home to face the University of Mary Washington on Tuesday.