SALEM, Va. — Averett University men's basketball lost 86-53 to Roanoke College in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play on Saturday. 

Roanoke (17-5, 10-3 ODAC) used fast starts at the beginning of each half to pull away against Averett (9-13, 5-8 ODAC). 

The hot-shooting Maroons raced out to an 11-2 advantage in the first three-plus minutes, but Averett fought back to get within 19-16 on a layup by senior Miles Pauldin with 10:53 left in the first half. The Maroons extended their lead back to double digits — as much 15 points — before Averett got within  37-28 by halftime.

Roanoke, which had been receiving votes in the D3hoops poll until dropping three out of four games to three ranked teams, had four players score in double figures as the Maroons continued to find success in the second half. 

Averett got a game-high 22 points from junior Jordan Lewis. Junior Jason Sellars II chipped in five points and a team-high five rebounds. 

Averett returns to action on the road against No. 2 Randolph-Macon College on Wednesday night.