DANVILLE, Va. — Highlighted by sophomore Jamison Graves' career-high 36 points, Averett University knocked off No. 10 Christopher Newport University 80-65 on Monday night in the Grant Center to give the Cougars' their second top-25 victory in the first five games of the season.
 
After storming back to tie the game by halftime, Averett (5-0) never trailed in the second half in large part to the clutch shooting of Graves, who scored 21 of his 36 points in the second half. Graves' corner 3-pointer with 8:25 remaining extended the Cougars' lead to 62-46 over Christopher Newport (5-2), which was ranked No. 5 in the D3hoops.com preseason poll before falling to No. 10 in the latest poll that was released right before tipoff.

In addition to Graves' hot shooting, Averett also got a huge effort from senior Bryce Shaw, who scored 10 of his 20 points and grabbed six of his eight rebounds in the second half. Averett's lead grew to as many as 20 points with 1:22 to play as the Cougars pulled off their first top-10 win at home since 2006.

"I am extremely proud of our guys for their effort, focus and togetherness tonight," head coach David Doino said. "However, the sun will come up again tomorrow and we will need to get back to work."

Averett fell behind 8-0 in the opening minutes as CNU controlled most of the first half. However, Averett got a stellar first half spurt from Graves, who fueled an Averett comeback in the period. Graves hit several crucial 3-pointers to get Averett within 24-23, and Shaw's free throws gave the Cougars their first lead, 25-24, at the 4:17 mark. CNU answered with a seven-point swing the other way to regain the lead. Shaw and Graves hit several key shots late, including a Shaw floater in the lane after making a steal at the other end as Averett tied it 33-33. The Cougars then got a defensive stop in the final seconds to secure a 33-33 tie going into halftime.

With the offense clicking, Averett's defensive mindset was crucial in the victory. The Cougars weathered the early storm before ultimately sinking the Captains with timely stops and limiting CNU to under 36 percent shooting from the floor. Averett also out-rebounded CNU 38-36.

Graves' previous career high was 24 points at William Peace in November 2023, and his 7-for-8 effort from beyond the arc set a new Averett program single-game record for 3-point percentage (87.5). His 36 points is only the 16th known 36-point-or-better performance in program history.

Shaw finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and three steals off the bench, while junior transfer Davion Bowens added a team-high 12 rebounds with nine points. Graduate student Jason Sellars II's eight points and freshman Jackson Sellars' seven points accounted for the rest of the Cougars' scoring.

The Cougars' win over CNU broke a 10-game skid against the Captains while giving Averett another top 25 win on its resume after opening the season with a victory at then-No. 20 Maryville College. The five wins already in the first five games helped Averett surpass its win total from last season.

Averett returns to action on Wednesday in an exhibition against Division I Winthrop University.
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