Men's Basketball | 1/13/2010 9:51:59 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The score was tight early before the Averett University ran away with an 85-64 win over the Monarchs Wednesday night.

Methodist (0-12, 0-2) came out firing to take the 6-0 lead over the Cougars (5-9, 2-1). The score was tied at 14 and 17 before Averett went on a 16-3 run to lead 33-20 with 3:18 remaining in the first half. The Cougars held the 40-24 lead at the break.

Junior Travis Fulp drained a 3-pointer for the Monarchs five minutes into the second half to cut Averett's lead to 10, but the Cougars responded and moved ahead 68-46 midway through the half. Averett finished with the 85-64 win.

Sophomore Mark Jernigan led the Monarchs with 15 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore #Tanner Carnes scored nine points and had 11 rebounds.

Kenny Hart paced the Cougars with 19 points. Victor Cortes added 14 and Chad Hardway scored 13.

The Monarchs will travel to Lynchburg on Saturday in a rescheduled game at 1 p.m.

Box Score