GREENSBORO, N.C. – Averett University women's basketball turned a six-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter into a five-point win, knocking off US-29 rivals Guilford College on the road with a 63-58 win on Wednesday evening.
Neither team in Averett (8-15, 4-11 ODAC) or Guilford (18-6, 9-6 ODAC) led the first quarter by three or more points, as both were tied at 14 through 10 minutes.
The Quakers got their offense moving, however, taking a 10-0 run in the following period en route to a 24-16 lead. Forcing five Averett turnovers in that run, the Cougars locked right back in with a 7-2 pace in the closing minutes before half. Freshman guard
Lily Strittmatter scored five to aid Averett, turning the score into a three-point deficit at the break, 26-23.
The Cougars, slowly but surely, forced their way back and then into the lead at the 6:39 mark in the third, large in part to forcing a slew of Guilford blanks. Up 31-30, the visitors traded quick buckets with the Quakers, tying then advancing, on repeat. It remained as such up until 38-38, where Guilford found its chance to breathe, and took it. The Quakers ended the quarter on a 7-0 run to lead 44-38 in the blink of an eye.
In an all too familiar spot, Averett found itself needing to spark one of its best comebacks all year. It became harder when Guilford went up by nine with under seven left to contest.
The freshman came to play when the plays were needed most. It started with a pull-up jumper from freshman guard
Jy'Lyia Mizell, and by the time sophomore guard
DaiShaundria Giggetts hit her jumper with 2:12 left, the Cougars eviscerated a nine-point deficit with a dominant 13-1 run in under five minutes. Averett led 55-52 in crunch time.
Taylor Dunn's make for the home team made the contest a one-pointer, but it was the closest that the Quakers would be to tying the game up. Averett then played methodical, nearly turnover-free basketball to close out the game, as the Cougars knocked down eight of their last nine charity stripes to ice the game, and knockoff Guilford 63-58.
When the lights were at their brightest, Giggetts pulled through with a game-high 20-points. She achieved the double-double for the third time this year with 10 rebounds. Mizell shined with 11 on 7-7 from the free throw line, and
Crishya Sellers notched 10 points and nine rebounds.
Averett's perimeter defense was lockdown all evening, with Guilford restrained to a single made three on 25 attempts. The Cougars also out-rebounded the Quakers 68-44, with 40 defensive rebounds. Averett also had replenished help from the reserves, as the bench scored 25 points.
The Cougars' 2025-26 finale takes place on Saturday, Feb. 21 with a trip to Virginia Wesleyan University. Start time is set for 2 p.m.
