DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball held off previously nationally ranked Shenandoah University 65-58 for a big Old Dominion Athletic Conference victory in the Grant Center on Wednesday evening.

Averett (4-11, 2-5 ODAC), playing at home for the first time since early December, watched its seven-point halftime lead disappear quickly as Shenandoah (12-3, 3-3 ODAC) opened the second half with a 10-0 to take the lead. Down 36-33, Averett then regained the lead thanks to a 9-0 run after junior Bryce Shaw's 3-pointer and senior Jason Sellars II made three consecutive baskets to put the Cougars in front 42-36 with 10:43 left.

Shenandoah made several pushes to challenge Averett down the stretch, but each time the Cougars answered. The Hornets got within two, but freshman Terrell Fitzgerald hit a crucial baseline jumper to extend Averett's lead to 50-46 with 4:04 remaining.

Sellars scored 14 of his team-high 20 points in the second half as Shenandoah didn't have an answer for him inside. Freshman Jamison Graves also made some key points over the final minutes, including a key 3-pointer to extend Averett's lead to 55-49 with 2:38 to play.

Averett handed Shenandoah its third consecutive loss after the Hornets started the season 12-0 and jumped into the D3hoops.com Top 25 at No. 25 on Jan. 1. However, Shenandoah fell out of the poll after losing to nationally ranked Virginia Wesleyan University last Wednesday and unranked University of Lynchburg on Saturday. The Hornets were still receiving votes in the most recent poll released on Monday.

After Shenandoah took an initial lead in the opening minutes, Averett — sparked by Shaw — took control with a 10-0 run. Shaw totaled 13 first-half points as Averett took a 27-20 halftime lead into the locker room over the Hornets.

Shaw finished with 17 points for the Cougars, who also got 11 points from Graves. Sellars led the team with eight rebounds in addition to his third 20-point performance this season. Senior Jordan Lewis also chipped in seven points and six boards, while freshman Colton Price had a career-high four assists.

Averett hosts Washington and Lee University on Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
 
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