DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball held off Mary Baldwin University 64-61 in the final seconds as the Cougars picked up a conference win Monday in the Grant Center.

With Averett up 62-61 with under 20 seconds to play, Mary Baldwin was forced to foul. Sophomore Jordan Lewis went to the line and knocked down both free throws in a one-and-one situation to extend the Cougars' lead to 64-61 with 12.6 seconds remaining.

Averett wasn't in the clear, as Mary Baldwin had one final chance to try to tie the game and force overtime. Mary Baldwin's Jaden Ignacio pulled up for a 3-pointer at the top of the arc, but senior KeShawn Lewis' stout defense altered his would-be shot attempt and the off-balanced pass attempt to avoid a traveling violation was picked off by senior Jalen Rowell, who threw the ball ahead as time expired to preserve the Averett win.

The victory was No. 97 for head coach David Doino, who tied the program record for career wins held by Averett Athletics Hall of Famer Jimmy Allen, who is currently the head coach at Division I Army. Doino already holds the program record for career conference victories.

A barrage of 3-pointers early in the second half helped Averett turn a three-point halftime lead into a 45-33 advantage five and a half minutes into the period. Mary Baldwin made several runs down the stretch to chip away at its deficit, including one in the final two minutes that helped the Fighting Squirrels pull within 62-60 with 1:28 to play. After a missed Averett shot, Mary Baldwin's Brandon Stoudamire was fouled on a layup attempt with 48 seconds to go. Stoudamire hit one of two free throws to get Mary Baldwin within 62-61.

At the other end, Averett was fouled midway through its ensuing possession, forcing Mary Baldwin to foul several times to put the Cougars in the bonus and Jordan Lewis on the free throw line in order for the Squirrels to get the ball back one last time.

Jordan Lewis finished with 13 points and grabbed a career-high seven rebounds. Rowell led the Cougars with 15 points with a career-best four assists. Junior Raja Milton added 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench for Averett, which was playing its first game since Dec. 31.

Mary Baldwin, playing its first game since Dec. 19, opened with a 7-0 lead before Averett began chipping away midway through the first half. The Cougars took their first lead, 17-15, on Rowell's 3-pointer with 9:25 to play in the period. Averett increased its advantage to as many as five twice before taking a 27-24 lead into the break.

Averett was scheduled to host Southern Virginia University on Wednesday, but that contest has been postponed. The Cougars' next contest is Saturday at home against N.C. Wesleyan College at 2 p.m.
 

 
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