Rocky Mount, N.C. - Averett out-scored N.C. Wesleyan 22-8 in the first quarter, then withstood a furious third quarter run by the Bishops to secure a 71-60 USA South win on Wednesday night in Rocky Mount.
The Cougars, who led 35-24 at the half, saw Wesleyan used a 11-2 run late in the third to turn an 8-point deficit into a 1-point lead with 1:15 left in the period. Freshman Nadiya Holley's trey from the right wing capped the Bishop run that gave NCWC it's only lead of the night, 43-42. Unfornunately, AU countered with a 6-0 spurt of its own to end the quarter with a 48-43 advantage heading into the fourth.
The final ten minutes of play saw Wesleyan close the gap to two, 60-58, on a Raelin Davis lay-up with 4:01 remaining. The Cougars, however, again answered with a run -- this time an 11-2 spurt that sealed the game.
Kenyata Harris paced the Bishops with a team-high 15 points, while fellow junior Timyra Staton turned in a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.
The Cougars (9-6, 4-3 USA South) were led by Samm Chandler's 19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals, and 4 assists.
Wesleyan (7-10, 4-4 USA South) returns to action this weekend at Mary Baldwin on Saturday and Meredith on Sunday. Both games are slated for 2:00pm tips.