DANVILLE, Va. - Averett led by as many as 11 points, but the Methodist women's basketball came back to win 66-61 over the Cougars.
Earlier this season it was the Cougars who came from behind late to knock off Methodist, but the Monarchs turned the tables Saturday afternoon to end Averett's six-game winning streak.
The Cougars (13-6, 9-4) opened the game with a quick first basket, but the Monarchs (13-9, 9-6) scored the next six points to take the 6-2 lead. Both teams struggled offensively early, but Methodist maintained the 13-7 advantage before the Cougars went on an 18-1 run to take the 11 point lead.
Methodist head coach
DeeDee Jarman called a timeout and senior
Michaela Myers drained a 3-pointer to end the Cougars' run. Free throws from junior
Dawn Sanderson tied the game at 25 but it was Averett who took the 31-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The score was tied at 45, 47 and 49 midway through the second half, before the Monarchs started to pull away. Freshman
Iesha Hayes gave Methodist their largest lead of the game at 58-49 after driving in for the layup with 5:17 to play. Averett cut the lead to five on free throws with 1:03 remaining, but Myers and junior
Adriana Wilson both hit their second of two free throws to extend the lead back to seven. The Cougars scored a late basket, but it was not enough as Methodist prevailed with the 66-61 win.
Myers led the team with 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the field. Wilson added 13 points and Sanderson finished with the double-double after scoring 12 points with 12 rebounds.
Ashley Washington led Averett with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The Monarchs will take the next week to prepare to host N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday Feb. 13 in conjunction with
Pink Zone festivities.
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