DANVILLE, Va. – Randolph-Macon College, receiving votes in the latest D3hoops.com poll, came to the Grant Center for an afternoon matchup with Averett University women's basketball. Without key contributors available, the Cougars fought with might, but the visitors pulled away early, and defeated Averett by a final score of 67-34.
Fighting the injury bug as of late, Averett ( kept it low-scoring with conference leaders Randolph-Macon (, but the Yellow Jackets persevered through the Cougar defense, and rode a 19-4 run through the duration of the first period, led by Morgan Miller. Randolph-Macon led by the aforementioned margin, going into the second quarter.
Randolph-Macon exponentially grew its lead to as large as 34-6, but the short-handed Cougars found a semblance of life, countering back with scoring nine of the last 11 points in the period. Forcing the Yellow Jackets to a trio of turnovers, and with Averett making multiple field goals, the score at half came out at 36-13 in the visitors' favor.
Jaa Brown led the attack for the Cougars in the first 20 minutes, with six points, including a rebound and steal apiece.
While the visitors maintained the same 23-point lead from the quarter prior, Averett fought relentlessly to score the same amount as Randolph-Macon, 17-17. Despite turning over the ball seven times, the Cougars forced three takeaways from the Yellow Jackets, bringing slight momentum into the fourth and final period.
Both squads only combined for 18 points scored in the fourth stanza, but it was Randolph-Macon who scored the majority, combining made field goals with successful trips to the charity stripe to wrap up the 67-34 win.
Balanced scoring marks among Averett,
Brianna Sams and
Zariia America tied for the most points with seven each.
Emma Jones posted a game-high six boards, to go along with six points. Brown kept her recent form of assists intact with three in the afternoon contest.
Averett heads to Ferrum College next on Wednesday, Jan. 29 for an ODAC matchup. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
