FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – In its first contest since Dec. 16, Averett University women's basketball returned to the court for an away contest versus Methodist University in one of the team's last non-conference tune-ups before the thick of conference play. Despite being as close as just nine points down at one point, the Monarchs' offense was too much to overcome, falling 70-45 on Monday afternoon.
Any rust was immediately shaken off in the first game back for Averett (1-10) in two weeks, as they kept home side Methodist (5-5) at bay through the first few minutes, deadlocked at 13. Junior
Jaa Brown came out to play offensively, leading the squad with six points early. Not as many points were scored later on, but the Monarchs limited the Cougars to just three points in the remaining three minutes, with their only field goal beyond the arc from
DaiShaundria Giggetts. Methodist took a 21-16 lead into the second period.
Methodist continued to settle into the game, cruising through the second quarter with 16 points to just Averett's eight. With an extended scoring boost from the Monarchs' end, specifically five points alone from Arriana White, the home team held the 37-24 advantage heading into the locker rooms at halftime intermission.
Giggetts' second quarter surge helped to keep Averett in close distance of Methodist, leading all scorers with 11 points and three steals.
Bouncing back in fine fashion, the Cougars outscored the Monarchs 8-4 in the opening minutes of the third, with leading scorer Giggetts now up to 17 points.
Jaa Brown contributed with a made shot as well, as Averett trimmed Methodist's lead down to nine, 42-31, with 5:34 to go in the quarter.
The Monarchs then held Averett scoreless from beyond the arc down the stretch of the stanza, and made six of seven field goals to the tune of a 15-8 run to raise their lead to 18. A 56-38 scoreline in favor of the home team would be the result as the final quarter approached.
The aforementioned edge that Methodist held was enough to hold off Averett for the entirety of the fourth. Despite the Cougars' best efforts, the Monarchs prevailed 70-45.
Star freshman guard Giggetts finished one point from tying her career-high in points, with a game-leading 24 points on 10-20 field-goal shooting, and had four steals. Brown joined her teammate in double-scoring figures with 10, and led in assists with three.
Team-wise, Averett continued its efficient season on the glass offensively, leading in the offensive rebounding margin 13-9.
2025 rolls around the corner for the Cougars, next returning to action in the new year with a trip to in-state Salem for an ODAC matchup versus Roanoke College. Tip off on Saturday, Jan. 4 is set for 2 p.m.
