DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball held off a late push by Greensboro College to win 55-54 for the Cougars' first win of the season in their home opener Wednesday night in the Grant Center.
Averett (1-2) dominated the first half, holding Greensboro (0-2) to under 10 points for the first 16 minutes of the game on its way to a 28-17 lead at halftime. The Cougars extended their lead to 15 early in the second half of
Jamael Carter Jr.'s 3-pointer with 15:32 to play in the second period. However, that 36-21 advantage dried up in less than five minutes after Greensboro went on a 15-0 run to tie the game.
Carter answered with another 3-pointer moments later, but Greensboro stayed on the Cougars' heels the rest of the way. Averett added a small cushion over the final minutes but had to withstand one last test from the Pride. Up five with under 30 seconds to play, a Greensboro jumper closed the gap to 55-53. With 7.2 seconds remaining, the Pride hit a pair of free throws to get within one.
Greensboro nearly stole an inbounds pass and was forced to commit several fouls to eventually get into the bonus and put Averett on the free throw line. It nearly worked as the Cougars missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving Greensboro one last shot at a buzzer-beater, which was too hard off the top of the glass as time expired.
Lewis led Averett with 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, while junior
Bryce Shaw added 11 points and five rebounds. Freshman
Colton Price had a breakout game, scoring 10 points and grabbing four boards in his first career start. Carter chipped in nine points — all from behind the arc — in his first start of the season.
Averett jumped out to a 12-9 lead in the first nine minutes, including an electrifying dunk by freshman
D'Markus Tucker on the putback attempt. The Cougars led by as many 16 points in the first half and never trailed at any point in the game.
Averett hosts William Peace University on Tuesday at 4 p.m. as part of a home doubleheader with the Averett women's basketball team.
