DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball had several game-tying looks in the final seconds, but neither 3-pointer fell as Virginia Wesleyan University escaped with a 49-46 road win in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play on Wednesday in the Grant Center.
 
Virginia Wesleyan (8-1, 2-1 ODAC), which is receiving votes in the D3hoops.com poll and was ranked No. 21 last week, held a 49-43 lead with under 30 seconds to play. Averett (1-8, 0-4 ODAC) got a 3-pointer from senior Jordan Lewis with 22.5 seconds remaining to cut the Cougars' deficit in half. On the ensuing inbounds play after an Averett timeout, the Cougars' defense forced a 10-second violation to get possession back after the turnover with 12.5 seconds remaining. Averett missed a step-back 3-pointer, but the rebound back and shot a 3-pointer attempt at the buzzer that rattled off the rim.

It was an intense, nail-biting finish between the two ODAC foes. Virginia Wesleyan led by three at halftime and built as much as a seven-point lead early in the second half. Averett clawed its way back to take a 40-37 lead with 7:42 to play after a three-point play and a driving layup a few possessions later by freshman Jamison Graves.

Virginia Wesleyan answered with a run to push back in front before Averett tried to rally to tie the game in the final seconds.

Lewis finished with team-highs of 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Graves added nine points and six rebounds, with junior Bryce Shaw chipping in eight points and six boards for the Cougars.
 
A tight battle throughout the first half, both teams' defenses kept each other in check as neither team shot better than 28 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes. The scoring margin never exceeded more than four points either way until a pair of free throws in the final minute of the period gave Virginia Wesleyan a 20-14 lead. Averett, however, answered with a corner 3-pointer by freshman Colton Price as time expired to help cut the Cougars' deficit to 20-17 at the break.
 
Averett travels to No. 10 Christopher Newport University, the defending national champion, on Monday for a 6 p.m. game.
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