BUENA VISTA, Va. — Averett University men's basketball got within four with about a minute left, but Southern Virginia University held on after coming back in the second half to win 77-70 in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon.
Averett (0-2) held a 35-31 advantage at halftime before Southern Virginia (2-0) inched ahead 42-41 in the first five minutes. The Cougars retook the lead and went up 49-45 on a three-point play by redshirt junior
Zach Shumate minutes later. With 7:52 to play, Southern Virginia tied the game. The Knights slowly built up a seven-point lead. Freshman
Jamison Graves' layup late got Averett within 71-67 with a minute left, but time ran out as Southern Virginia hit its free throws over the final 60 seconds.
The first half was just as competitive as there was never more than a six-point lead in either direction. Senior
Jamael Carter Jr.'s 3-pointer just before the half gave the Cougars a four-point lead at the break.
Senior
Jason Sellars II led Averett with 18 points to go with five rebounds. Graves added 13 points, redshirt junior
Jem Lowrance had 10 points and a team-high six rebounds and senior
Jordan Lewis scored eight points with a team-best four assists.
Averett hosts Greensboro College on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
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