ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Despite holding a 10-point lead at halftime, Averett University women's basketball fell late, as the surging North Carolina Wesleyan University Battling Bishops stormed back to defeat the Cougars, 69-60, on Saturday afternoon to open the Jean Edge Classic.
Down as much as 10-6 midway through the first quarter, Averett (0-2) battled back, scoring 10 of the last 17 points to even things up at 17-all, with six points from senior starting point guard
Elisa Harris.
Harris and first-year guard
Lily Strittmatter elevated the Cougars to its first lead against N.C. Wesleyan (1-1), at 20-18 early into the second quarter. The lead never relinquished throughout, doubling the Battling Bishops' score 20-10 over the last eight minutes until halftime. Forcing a litany of turnovers and knocking down a slew of field goals, the Cougars led N.C. Wesleyan 38-28 going into the locker rooms.
Harris and sophomore
Zariia America led the scoring charge for Averett, with eight and seven points, respectively. Three Cougars tied for the rebounding lead with three, and first-year player
Aniya Cotton contributed two blocks on the defensive end.
The home side utilized a big swing to tie the contest up at 44-44, as the Cougars went cold from the field. Taking up nearly the entire third quarter, Keira Perkins willed her way to the foul line with seconds left, and sunk both tries at the foul line to put the Cougars back on top, 46-44 with 10 minutes left to play.
N.C. Wesleyan took back the lead at 52-51, as both teams entered a back-and-forth flow state where neither team could up the edge over the other. Déjà vu rung in similar fashion to the Cougars' season opener, as the game went down to its last two minutes with the Battling Bishops clinging on to a 61-60 lead at the 1:48 mark.
N.C. Wesleyan had the clutch gene late, forcing multiple Averett turnovers, making free throws and various baskets, to stretch its lead out to 69-60, holding on to sink the Cougars.
America scored the most for Averett tonight, tallying 12 points and nine rebounds, both leading the away side.
DaiShaundria Giggetts joined her teammate in double figures with 10, including two steals and a block.
The Cougars sunk three more shots beyond the arc than the Battling Bishops, and led slightly in the offensive rebound margin by one, 17-16.
Averett concludes its time at the Jean Edge Classic with a 1 p.m. game on Sunday, November 16th versus Methodist University.
