Box Score
DANVILLE, Va. — A day after Averett had little trouble offensively in a win over Christopher Newport University, the Cougars just couldn't seem to get things going against Shenandoah. The Hornets came in the final minute to knock off Averett 64-62 on Sunday at the Grant Center.
In a highly competitive game in which neither team led by more than seven points, Averett (6-10, 3-2 USA South) managed to get the upper hand late in the second half. With just over a minute to play, freshman
Michael St. John's layup put the Cougars in front 62-61. Shenandoah (6-11, 3-1 USA South) came up short on its ensuing possession, but Averett couldn't capitalize either.
After a Shenandoah timeout with 17.1 seconds to play, the Hornets' Mitchell Dudley drove into the lane for a layup. The shot fell as Dudley was fouled on the play and hit the free throw to put the Hornets ahead by two with 7.3 seconds remaining. Averett had one final chance to tie the game, but the Cougars turned the ball over with 0.9 seconds left.
Averett shot just 30.9 percent from the floor and 56.5 percent from the foul line, which hurt its chances to extend any lead down the stretch.
Senior
Brandon Malone finished with a game-high 17 points, while St. John added 12 points and sophomore
Ruben Pierce scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Shenandoah got 15 points from Dudley and Chris Schrader.
Averett led 25-18 with 3:25 left in the first half, but that advantage quickly disappeared and turned into a 29-28 halftime lead for Shenandoah.
The Cougars will look to rebound when they travel to Ferrum College on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.