With 1:10 remaining in the contest, Sterling Williams scored a lay up for the Cougars (10-10, 5-4 USA South) to trim the Methodist (17-4, 9-0 USA South) lead to 58-54. However, the Monarch run followed for the final 14-point deficit.
The first half was evenly matched, as the Monarchs were unable to open a double figure lead in the stanza. Methodist led 25-17 with 2:40 to go in the period after a Eugene Grant 3-pointer. The Cougars stormed back to score six unanswered points on a Williams 3-pointer and free throw, followed by a Lymon Gregory lay up. However, Methodist’s Sam Porter netted a basket as the buzzer sounded to give the Monarchs a 27-23 lead at the intermission.
In the second half, Methodist opened up an 11-point lead midway through the period. Averett countered with a late spurt, but Methodist was able to hold off the charge.
Williams and Andrew Boor each scored 13 points for Averett, as Cameron Brown followed with nine. Gregory also added nine points to go along with a team-best seven boards.
Methodist won the battle on the glass by a 45-30 margin. Leading the way for the Monarchs was Porter with 17 rebounds. He also added 11 points. Methodist was led in scoring by Grant with 13 points.
The Cougars return to action on Saturday when they host Christopher Newport University at 4:00 p.m. in the Grant Center.