DANVILLE, Va. – Yet another late and close fourth quarter was featured on Wednesday night at the Grant Center for Averett University women's basketball that went the way of the visitors, as Wesleyan University used a litany of free throws to overtake the lead in the fourth period to down the Cougars, 70-62.
Similarly, on the same path to start, not much split Averett and Virginia Wesleyan apart. Other than more free throws made from the Cougars in the first period, the Marlins had a 5-0 run on lock to close the quarter, before an
Elisa Harris heave from deep gave Averett the surprise lead at the buzzer, 16-15.
Crishya Sellers and crew guided the home side in the second, with Virginia Wesleyan lurking just behind. Five points from the freshman forward kept the Cougars ahead 28-24, then Averett took off on a 7-2 run to lead 35-26, its largest lead of the game thus far.
The Marlins reversed their fortunes for a quick spurt, with combined layups and free throws that pulled the visitors in within five at the half, 35-30 to the good of Averett.
The Cougars raised their lead to as high as 11 with an 8-2 run storming through part of the third period, until Virginia Wesleyan's Keira Bagwell knotted seven points as a part of a 13-2 stretch to tie the game at 45. Sellers and
Kyjana Jordan quickly took the advantage back for Averett, and remained that way. The Marlins' edged out the Cougars, and for yet another contest, Averett was set to play another tightly contested fourth period versus an ODAC foe.
The showdown fourth period was highlighted by a volume of free throw shots, most of which fell the way of the visitors. Their five free throws and two field goals in six minutes still was not enough to catch the Cougars. A string of turnovers and other missed shots eventually gave way for late action, in which the Marlins acted first, tying the game at 59 with just over two minutes to play.
A Cougar turnover plus drawn fouls at the other end gave Virginia Wesleyan a chance at the lead, and they took it, for its first since they led 15-13 in the first quarter. Up 61-59, the lead never left its side the rest of the way. All nine points from under a minute to go until the buzzer were completed via the charity stripe, with the Marlins commandeering the way to their comeback victory.
DaiShaundria Giggetts' team-high 14 points and 4-6 from the free throw line were joined by 13 and 11-point outings from the likes of Sellers and
Zariia America, respectively. Sellers also led the team in rebounds with five, two on the offensive end.
Kyjana Jordan put up three blocks and two steals to anchor the Cougar defense.
Team-wise, Averett forced more steals and blocks than Virginia Wesleyan, with 16 stocks to the Marlins' 12.
The Cougars head to Bridgewater College next on Saturday, Jan. 31. Start time is set for 4:30 p.m. Both the time and date are tentative to change due to impending inclement weather in the area this weekend.
