Southside VA News

Men's basketball swats Hornets' run late to secure ODAC victory over Lynchburg

Averett University men's basketball opened the second half on fire and held off a late run by the University of Lynchburg for a 53-45 home victory over the Hornets in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play on Wednesday night in the Grant Center.
 
Tied 26-26 at halftime, Averett (7-11, 3-6 ODAC) seized momentum at the start of the second period thanks to back-to-back dunks by junior Jason Sellars II to start the Cougars' 8-0 run over the first five minutes. The Cougars' lead grew to 40-29 as Averett limited Lynchburg (4-13, 1-7 ODAC) to only three points through the first nine-plus minutes of the half.

Lynchburg, however, didn't go away. The Hornets buzzed their way back into the game with an 8-0 run of their own to get within 42-41 with 4:34 remaining. Averett fended off Lynchburg by scoring on each of its next three possessions — including a big 3-pointer by junior Jordan Lewis that extended the Cougars' advantage back to 49-41 with 2:52 to play.

Averett it all four of its free throws late to help secure the win and send Lynchburg to its seventh consecutive loss.

Lewis finished with a team-high 17 points to go with five rebounds, and Sellars added 10 points and eight boards. Senior Bryson McLaughlin added a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, while sophomore Bryce Shaw chipped in eight points and five rebounds.
 
Lynchburg opened the game with a 13-6 lead midway through the first half before Averett slowly chipped away and tied the game twice in the final five minutes. McLaughlin's offensive rebound and putback knotted the game at 26-26 and neither team scored over the final 3:21 of the period.
 
Averett outrebounded Lynchburg 42-36, and the Cougars' defense limited the Hornets to 29.3 percent shooting from the floor.
 
Averett travels to face Eastern Mennonite University in ODAC action on Saturday at 2 p.m.
  

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