DANVILLE, Va. – Averett University women's basketball battled visiting Centre College through four quarters, but fell to the visitors 73-57 in its season opener on Friday night.
Without several key returners available, Averett (0-1) came out of the gates swinging, scoring 20 of the game's first 26 points.
DaiShaundria Giggetts led the team with six points in the run, with the team making eight of 15 field goal attempts. Centre (1-0) gained some traction on the Cougars toward the end of the period, but an
Emma Jones three capped off a 23-point quarter at the first intermission.
The Colonels dominated the second period, controlling a 12-point advantage at the halftime break. Centre capitalized off a number of Averett turnovers, including making a handful of free throws to lead 33-25.
The Cougars' defensive intensity shined through the first few minutes of the third period. Capped by a 14-9 run, including two makes from beyond-the-arc specialist
Emma Jones, Averett clawed back to only be down by three, 42-39 at the 4:50 mark. The two teams remained neck and neck, but Centre maintained the lead, capping the period with four more field goals to lead 52-44.
Both squads traded baskets back and forth through the fourth, but it was the Colonel offense led by Katelyn Stiltner and Lilly Reid that paved the way for the visitors, eventually winning by the 13-point margin.
Emma Jones led all Cougars with 12 points, all from long range. Giggetts impressed in her collegiate debut, with 10 points, eight rebounds, two assists and five steals.
Rayanna Evans tied for the most steals on the team with five of her own.
Averett led in three-point makes with five. The rebounding margin edged in Centre's favor, leading 43-40. The Cougars led in key defensive statistics, with 15 steals and three blocks.
Averett begins a long away trip, first with a trip to in-state Newport News to take on No. 9 Christopher Newport University on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
