GREENVILLE, S.C. – Four Cougars posted double-digit scoring figures in a productive afternoon for Averett University women's basketball, as the squad posted a 73-62 win at Bob Jones University on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams off of losses in previous outings, Bob Jones (5-10) and Averett (2-14) kept things very close in the first period. The Cougars only built as large as a four-point lead, which came at the tailend of 10 minutes, when
Emma Jones and
Brianna Sams tallied a jumper and layup, respectively, to put the visitors up 15-11 at the end of the first.
The Cougars rolled on early through the second stanza, amassing a 22-15 advantage, but the Bruins fueled themselves with momentum, drawing a succession of shooting fouls and making shots from the charity stripe to overtake their counterparts, 23-22 with just over three minutes before halftime. Baskets were difficult to find amongst stingy defensive schemes, but Averett persevered through, and flipped the script again to go back into the lead, making its own litany of free throws.
A few jumpers from
DaiShaundria Giggetts, and free throw splits from
Skylar Jones meant that the Cougars rode a 12-6 run into the locker rooms, up 23-28 at the half.
From then on, the visitors only let the score get as close as six points, and eventually raised its advantage to as high as 15 points at 54-39. Unwilling to let Bob Jones score points, the Cougars countered with precision, making timely layups and free throws to build a lead that the Bruins would only begin to dig out of as the third period ended. Two foul line makes and a layup shrunk the Cougars' lead to 11, but Averett leading 54-43 gave the visitors the best shot at snatching the road win.
The distance was kept in stride, and the Cougars played smart and sound defense to keep Bob Jones at bay. Multiple Averett players experienced a boost in offensive production at game's end, as the visitors snapped a 10-game losing streak.
For the 11th time this season, Giggetts led the team in scoring with 18 points, and also posted five rebounds and three steals.
Emma Jones set a season-high in points with 13, corralling three rebounds and a steal.
Skylar Jones posted her first game this season hitting double figures on the scoreboard, with 10, and Sams recorded an efficient 10 points in just 11 minutes played off the bench.
Jaa Brown recorded a highly efficient stat-line, with a career-high 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals, leading the team in each of those categories.
As a team, the Cougars made a season-high 19 free throws from the charity stripe, led the steal margin 14-6, and made more field goals than the Bruins, 25-17.
With non-conference play finalized for Averett, its next ODAC game comes in a home double-header with men's basketball on Wednesday, Jan. 22, hosting No. 20 ranked Washington and Lee University. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
