Box Score
DANVILLE, Va. — Averett outscored N.C. Wesleyan College by six points in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome a first-half deficit in a 90-80 loss to the Battling Bishops on Senior Night on Tuesday.
Averett (9-15, 6-6 USA South) trailed by as much as 20 points late in the first half, but the Cougars made a run in the second half. Averett methodically chipped away at their double-digit deficit and eventually pulled within nine points halfway through the period.
The Cougars pulled within five points when senior
Chad Hardway hit a layup to cut N.C. Wesleyan's lead to 73-68 with 4:34 to play. Moments later, the Bishops ( 14-9, 10-1 USA South) took all that momentum away when Jarmel Arrington drained a 3-pointer and was fouled on the play. He hit the ensuing free throw to put N.C. Wesleyan back in front by nine.
The Cougars kept their deficit within single digits until a slew of N.C. Wesleyan free throws sealed the game in the final minutes.
Averett got a career-high 15 points from senior
Jeff Wehling, one of three seniors honored before the game. Hardway and fellow senior
Mike Miller finished with 14 points and 12 points, respectively. Miller also had a game-high 11 rebounds. Sophomore
Ruben Pierce added 14 points off the bench and freshman
Justin Pierce chipped in a career-high 10 points.
The Cougars led 7-4 early before N.C. Wesleyan used a 15-0 run to take control late in the first half en route to a 39-23 halftime lead.
Trey Drake led all scorers with 23 points and eight assists. Arrington added 19 points off the bench. N.C. Wesleyan shot 50.9 percent for the game, including 57.1 percent in the second period.
The game concluded the regular season for the Cougars. Averett will host a first-round game in the USA South Conference Tournament on Tuesday, but its opponent is yet to be determined.