Box Score
STAUNTON, Va. — Averett lost a 13-point lead in the second half, but the Cougars still held on for a 70-68 victory over Mary Baldwin College on Wednesday night. The win is the Cougars’ sixth in a row and it is their 10th victory in their last 12 games.
Averett (13-5, 9-3 USA South) led by one at halftime, but the Cougars shot 55.6 percent in the second half helped them increase that advantage to 59-46 with 9:06 to play. That lead, however, wasn't safe. Mary Baldwin (5-7, 7-9 USA South) chopped that lead down to three points in less than four minutes.
The Squirrels continued their charge and took a brief 66-65 lead on a pair of Sabrina Desper free throws with 1:07 remaining. Averett freshman
Mette Scheiman quickly answered with a 3-pointer at the other end to put the Cougars back in front.
Mary Baldwin missed its next shot and sophomore
Kaneshia Slade hit her ensuing free throws to extend Averett's lead to four points with 18 seconds left. Slade finished with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Iiesha Ricks hit a jumper with nine seconds left to get Mary Baldwin back within a basket, and the Squirrels missed a pair of free throws late to preserve the Averett win.
Sophomore
Liz Martin led the Cougars with 20 points. Scheiman added 12 points, while junior
Ashley Washington had nine points and 11 rebounds and senior
Kristyn Wharton finished with nine points and seven rebounds. Sophomore
Kyana Smith chipped in with eight points off the bench.
Kara Hawkins led all scorers with 21 points for Mary Baldwin. She also grabbed 15 rebounds.
Mary Baldwin jumped out to a 17-8 lead midway through the first half, but Averett fought back with a 13-0 run to take the lead. A Martin free throw in the final seconds of the period put the Cougars ahead 32-31 at halftime.
The Cougars are scheduled to return to action on Saturday when they host Methodist University at 2 p.m.