DANVILLE, Va. – Much celebration was to be had on Averett University women's basketball and its Senior day; with from sophomore guard/forward DaiShaundria Giggetts' 27 points, the Cougars defeated the University of Lynchburg Hornets late, 65-64.

Before the game began, Averett honored five of its players, including Taylor Ray, Zariia America, Brianna Sams, Elisa Harris, and Ny'Kerasia Coleman.

Quite literally even as could be through three straight quarters, Lynchburg (12-11, 5-9 ODAC) could not send Averett (6-16, 2-11 ODAC) all game long. Every period was within three points of each team, with the largest margin coming in the third, where the Hornets outscored the Cougars 12-9. 

The fourth got underway with two free throw makes from Giggetts, a theme that would be importantly recurrent as the contest began to reach its apex. Lynchburg and Averett kept going back and forth in a turbulent quarter, but Audra Petty and her five points gave the visitors a 56-62 from down one just a few minutes prior. 

Crishya Sellers scored three straight before Jy'Lyia Mizell scored her second three pointer of the season to put Averett up 58-56 with under five minutes to go. Giggetts hit two more free throws, but the Hornets leveled the contest at 60-all. 

Mizell split a trip to the foul line, before Kate Littlejohn gave the Hornets the lead, yet again at 62-61. Brooke Cason followed suit with two free throws to put Lynchburg up by three after that, until a great Giggetts pass found Sams in the paint for a layup to cut the visitors' lead to one.

A few empty possessions by either team later, Averett had the ball with the shot clock off, ready to make its final move in this intense game. With the game clock ticking, Giggetts drew a late foul that send her to the line with just seven seconds remaining. Cold as could be, she sunk both foul shots that gave the Cougars the 65-64 lead.

Lynchburg's last possession ended in no score, and the buzzer sounded on a clutch Averett victory.

The Cougars' win today gave them their third ODAC victory of the season, the most in a season since 2021-22. The win also snapped a six-game losing streak against their adversaries dating back to 2021.

Giggetts fell two points shy of tying her career-high, as she scored 27. She also led the Cougars in rebounds with nine, assists with four, and steals with five. Mizell downed four field goals, and 10 points overall. 

The game featured 12 lead changes, but Averett's upper hand came at the free throw line. The Cougars made four more, and 15 overall to Lynchburg's 11. 

With play at the Grant Center in the rearview for 2025-26, Averett finishes the season on the road, first with a 7 p.m. contest at Guilford College on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
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