DANVILLE, Va. – Freshman
DaiShaundria Giggetts broke her career-high in points once more with 25, but Averett University women's basketball was bested by visiting Guilford College, 99-68, in the conference opener for both squads.
Undefeated Guilford (6-0, 1-0 ODAC) found themselves up 15-4 in the early goings, causing a few turnovers from Averett (1-5, 0-1 ODAC). The Quakers extended their lead to 14 with under four minutes to go in the first, but the Cougars begun to dig themselves out of the early hole, keeping pace running down the stretch. Averett was only outscored 15-12 from the 3:51 mark on, with
DaiShaundria Giggetts accounting for six points, and the Cougars were only staring down a 15-point deficit heading into the second, 36-21.
Guilford maintained a lead of at least 19 points or more through the second, with Courtney McMillan and Julianna Walter maintaining the pace for the Quakers. Averett fought mightily to keep up, but an array of turnovers would be costly, and defensively sound Guilford took advantage. At the break, the Quakers led 56-33. Off the bench, Giggetts turned in a nice half, with a team-leading 13 points, along with two steals and shooting 7-8 from the free throw line.
Guilford pulled away through the final two quarters, despite the continued effort from Averett. Outscored 43-35 in the second half only, the Cougars' first half struggles proved enough for the Quakers to win their conference opener, 99-68.
The freshman Giggetts posted yet another career-high game in her first year of collegiate basketball, scoring the second-most points among all players, only trailing Zoe Bayer of the Quakers, with 25. Giggetts made eight of 15 field goals, adding on five steals, five assists and four rebounds.
Zariia America recorded 13 points, and
Brianna Sams was the other Averett player in double-digits, with 11. Sams and Ifidon led in rebounds with seven, and
Emma Jones recorded a block for the Cougars.
Despite trailing in total rebounds, Averett tied Guilford in offensive rebounds, with 19 for each squad. As a team, the Cougars posted their highest assist total in a game, with 12.
Averett returns to basketball action after the Thanksgiving break, traveling to in-state Lynchburg for an ODAC matchup versus Randolph College. Tip-off on Wednesday, Dec. 4 is set for 5 p.m.
