VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Averett University men's basketball lost 58-47 to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Saturday night on the opening day of Virginia Wesleyan University's North Beach Plastic Surgery Winter Classic.

Wisconsin-Whitewater (5-3) shot nearly 54 percent from the floor in the opening half as the Warhawks extended their early first-half lead to 35-20 by halftime. Graduate student Jason Sellars II carried the Cougars offensively early, scoring 12 of his team-high 15 points in the first half.

Averett (5-3) got within 11 when sophomore Jamison Graves' 3-pointer made it 49-38, the Cougars eventually chipped away the Warhawks' lead down to nine, 53-43, with freshman Mason Mitchell's 3-pointer with 5:27 remaining. However, that was as close as Averett could get within the final minutes.

Freshman Jackson Sellars added nine points, Graves had eight and Mitchell finished with seven points. Sellars II had a team-high six boards.

Wisconsin-Whitewater won the battle on the glass by a 32-21 margin. Joey Berezowitz led the Warhawks with 12 points as part of a balanced attack.

Averett faces North Carolina Wesleyan University on Sunday at 1 p.m.


  Read Full Article