DANVILLE, Va. – Originally planned for a mid-afternoon matchup versus visiting Bridgewater College and Averett University women's basketball on Saturday, threats of inclement weather in the region moved the game up to Friday night. Back home for the first time in as many weeks, the Cougars were outmatched versus the Eagles, losing 65-41.
Both squads took to the floor and grinding through a defensively minded first period, only combining for 26 points. Bridgewater (13-1, 6-0 ODAC) controlled the tempo on both ends, limiting Averett (1-13, 0-6 ODAC) to just eight points, down 18-8 changing quarters.
Similarly, to the opening stanza, the Eagles slowed the game to their tempo, prolonging its lead while simultaneously stymieing the Cougars to an identical scoring output. By the halftime break, Bridgewater amassed a 33-16 advantage.
It wasn't up until the fourth quarter where Bridgewater and Averett found a litany of offense, with the visitors edging Averett by just a single point, 24-23. With the previous quarters' results in hand however, it was the Eagles who marched on to the win, 65-41.
For the Cougars,
DaiShaundria Giggetts paced the team with 12 points.
Zariia America had a night from 3-point land, sinking a trio of shots across the contest to finish with nine points. The transfer sophomore also led the team in swipes, totaling five steals.
Emma Jones returned to sharpshooting form with a pair of 3-pointers as well.
Jaa Brown was productive in the assist department, tallying five, a game-high.
As a squad, the Cougars made more threes than their opponents, with seven. In steals, Averett slightly edged Bridgewater in that margin 12-11.
Averett heads back on the road next week, first with an ODAC contest at Virginia Wesleyan University. Tipoff from Virginia Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 15, is set for 7 p.m.
