BUENA VISTA, Va. — Junior Corey Baldwin scored a career-high 26 points to help lead Averett University men's basketball to a 77-55 conference road win at Southern Virginia University on Saturday.
 
Averett (11-9, 8-1 USA South), which won its eighth conference games in a row and earned its ninth victory over its last 10 games, had its best shooting performance of the season. The Cougars shot 57.7 percent from the floor and matched their season-high with 11 made 3-pointers. Averett also dominated the battle on the glass, out-rebounding Southern Virginia (11-9, 5-4 USA South) 37-15.

A tight contest midway through the first half, Averett went on a 13-3 run to extend its lead to 26-15 with 6:52 left in the period. Sophomore Jordan Lewis' 3-pointer in the final seconds gave the Cougars a 35-26 advantage at halftime.

Southern Virginia pulled within six points five minutes into the second half, but Averett responded with an 8-0 run moments later. The Knights got within single digits once more the rest of the way, but Baldwin hit consecutive 3-pointers to help end the threat as Averett's lead grew to more than 20 points.

Averett had four players score in double figures. In addition to Baldwin's 26 points, the Cougars got 11 points each from Lewis, junior Raja Milton and redshirt freshman Jem Lowrance. Baldwin also led the Cougars with seven rebounds and four assists. Junior Bryson McLaughlin added three blocks.

The win gives Averett a two-game lead in the USA South Conference's East Division standings with five games remaining in the regular season.

Averett returns home on Tuesday for a conference contest against Greensboro College.
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