DANVILLE, Va. – Competitive through most of the contest versus visitors Johnson & Wales, Averett University women's basketball staggered in the final quarter, as the Wildcats defeated the Cougars 59-48 on Monday afternoon.
It was as evenly contested as could be between Averett and Johnson & Wales in the first quarter, with both teams constantly at odds. Defenses ruled the period, as the Cougars and Wildcats were even in the turnover margin at four each. By the end of 10 minutes, the visitors had the slight lead, 12-10.
Jaa Brown came out to play, leading Averett with five points.
Shots from the Cougars did not convert through half of the second quarter, limited to just one made field goal, in part to good defense from Johnson & Wales. In turn, the Wildcats launched a 9-3 run to grab their largest lead of the contest, at 21-13. The Cougars did seem to settle in, crafting opportunities and producing scores, with eight points down the stretch. Averett players only missed two combined shots, and forced the Wildcats into turnover trouble. However, Johnson & Wales still maintained the modest edge, leading 27-21 by the halftime intermission.
Jaa Brown and
DaiShaundria Giggetts kept the Cougars at arms' reach, tied for the team-high in points with seven apiece, just behind leading scorer Jordan Durant of the Wildcats with eight.
Averett stormed back into the lead in dominant fashion, an 18-5 run in part to perfect shooting from the foul line to go up by six, 39-33. Johnson & Wales seemingly were stopped in its tracks, with six turnovers forced from the Cougar defense. Giggetts contributed in ways she has done all season, with 10 points of her own to steady Averett through the quarter.
In a game of many flips of momentum, the Wildcats then closed the gap quickly, tying the contest at 41 with a minute to go in the period, limiting Averett to just a pair of field goals. Brown did convert one free throw try to put the Cougars ahead once more, as one more quarter remained in the enthralling encounter.
A pair of foul line makes from the Wildcats' Durant put Johnson & Wales right back ahead to start the fourth, and quickly turned into the eventual run the visitors would use to put the Cougars out of reach. Scoring 16 of a total 18 points in the first seven minutes of the period separated the squads indefinitely, as Johnson & Wales stamped its eighth win of its campaign with a 59-48 final score.
Giggetts produced her third scoring output of 20 or more points this winter, with a game-high 21, and also came away with five steals and five rebounds.
Brianna Sams lead the effort on the glass, with six rebounds, and
Zariia America posted a new career-high in assists with four.
Averett as a team converted more free throws than its counterparts, 15-13. Defensively, the team swiped with great efficiency, leading the steal margin 13-4.
The Cougars return to basketball action after the holiday break, heading to Fayetteville, N.C. to take on Methodist University before entering the thick of conference play. Tip-off on Monday, Dec. 30 is set for 3 p.m.
