WINCHESTER, Va. — Averett University men's basketball pulled within one in the final minutes, but Shenandoah University held on for a 73-67 conference win on Saturday.
 
Down two at halftime, Averett (4-20, 2-13 ODAC) stayed on the Hornets' heels before senior Jordan Lewis' 3-pointer at the 11:24 mark put the Cougars in front 48-46. After Shenandoah (16-7, 7-7 ODAC) tied the game, Lewis hit another 3-pointer to give Averett a 51-48 advantage momentarily before the Hornets answered with a tying shot from beyond the arc. Shenandoah inched ahead down the stretch, although Averett tied the game, 59-59, with 4:44 to play. The Hornets weathered the storm as the game remained a one-possession difference. Junior Bryce Shaw's layup closed the deficit to 64-63 with 1:31 remaining. However, Shenandoah followed with a dunk and a 3-pointer on its next two possessions to survive.
 
Shenandoah led by as many as eight in the first half as Averett got within 29-27 by halftime.

Freshmen Isaiah Ramazani and Nick Andrew led the Cougars with 15 points apiece off the bench. Ramazani also finished with five boards and three assists. Meanwhile, Lewis had 14 points and a team-best five assists, senior Jason Sellars II had 10 points and nine rebounds and Shaw finished with nine points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Averett finishes the regular season on the road at University of Lynchburg on Feb. 17.



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