Men's Basketball | 2/27/2009 10:12:28 PM

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Averett University pulled away in the second half as they defeated the Methodist men's basketball team 83-60 in the USA South Athletic Conference tournament semifinal.

The Cougars (19-8) took control early and led by as many as 19 points in the first half before Methodist (10-17) made a late run in the second half. The Monarchs out scored Averett 14-4 in the final five and a half minutes to trail 45-36 at halftime.

Averett was ahead 49-40 early in the second half before going  on a run of their own to extend the lead to 20 points with 13:12 to go in the game. Methodist kept battling but shot 1-for-9 behind the arc in the second half while the Cougars were 4-for-6. Averett shot nearly 53 percent from the field for the game to take the 83-60 win.

Methodist senior #A.B. Lehmann led the team with 17 points while sophomore Marcus Connor# had nine points and 14 rebounds.

The Monarchs finish their season at 10-17 while Averett advances to face Christopher Newport in the tournament championship Saturday.

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