DANVILLE, Va. – Led by an offensive outburst in the second quarter, Averett University women's basketball stymied opponents Pfeiffer University to its first win of 2025 on Wednesday night, defeating the Falcons 57-51 at the Grant Center.
Tonight's win also marks the first for head coach
Tim Krotish.
Looking to set the momentum early, Pfeiffer instead controlled the floor early, playing shot-happy to the tune of 15 first quarter points and two makes from behind the three-point line. Averett fell behind by seven, but its fortunes changed just a few minutes later.
In arguably their best few minutes played in a season so far, the Cougars ripped off a dominant 14-2 for over four minutes of the second period, making six field goals with two three-pointers. A seven-point deficit flipped on its head to a six-point lead, and Averett never lost its lead until halftime. The Falcons just outscored the Cougars 9-7 after previous events, but
DaiShaundria Giggetts and her team-leading seven points kept Pfeiffer at slim distance, 28-26.
Averett's defense in particular locked the visitors down pat, holding them to just eight made field goals in two quarters.
Quick offensive possessions kicked off the third period for both sides, before Averett strung together another run where it kept Pfeiffer on the ropes, extending the Cougars' lead to 41-34. Giggetts and five more points in the last three minutes would've ensured a five-point advantage going into the fourth, before an Ava Hairston heave cut the lead to two at 46-44.
Averett's first potential win of the season would come down to crunch time again, and was made tighter with two free-throws from Hairston to dwindle Averett's lead to 50-49. Two minutes went by until the contest's next basket, but from Giggetts again to put the Cougars up by three.
The home side locked in their first win officially with the nifty Giggetts steal and layup. The sophomore guard broke out for a 20-point outing, along with four steals and three rebounds.
Jy'Lyia Mizell sparkplugged off the bench for eight points in 13 minutes, and
Mariah Eberhardt hauled in a squad-leading six boards.
The Cougars led Pfeiffer in field-goal percentage, 40.7% to 29.8%, and grabbed more defensive rebounds, 24-21.
Averett plays its last contest before Thanksgiving break on Tuesday, Nov. 25, hosting No. 20 Christopher Newport University for a 6 p.m. tip-off.
