DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball battled back from a slow start to tie the game in the second half, but Ferrum College held on for a 68-54 Old Dominion Athletic Conference win Saturday in the Grant Center.
 
Averett (8-13, 3-9 ODAC) started off cold offensively as Ferrum (15-7, 7-6 ODAC) raced out to a 23-7in the first 10-plus minutes of the game. Two baskets late by sophomore Josh Lewis near the end of the period helped the Cougars close the gap to 40-28 by halftime.

The Cougars slowly chipped away at Ferrum's lead in the second period, getting within 43-41 before the Panthers extended its lead back to five. Sophomore Jamison Graves got back-to-back layups, and was fouled on the latter make to put him at the free throw line, where he tied the game, 46-46, with 12:11 remaining. However, Averett couldn't turn the corner. Although the Cougars stayed close, Ferrum held Averett off by limiting the Cougars to just one free throw and no field goals down the stretch before pulling away to the 14-point win.

Graves and freshman Jackson Sellars led the Cougars with 14 points apiece.

Averett travels to Virginia Wesleyan University on Wednesday.
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