Averett women down Battling Bishops in league play, 49-36

Rocky Mount, NC - The women's basketball team of Averett University rode a 19-of-21 performance at the free throw line to a 49-36 USA South victory over North Carolina Wesleyan on Wednesday night in Everett Gymnasium.  The Bishops led by two at intermission but shot just 18.5 percent in the second half en route to the loss.  With the win, the Cougars move to 6-10 on the season, 4-5 in conference play.  The loss drops Wesleyan to 4-10 overall, 1-7 in league action.

Neither team could find an offensive rhythm in the first half as both teams were plagued by turnovers. The Bishops managed an 11-point lead at 17-6 with 6:55 remaining in the period.  Averett, however, responded with an 11-2 run over the final five minutes to pull within two at the break, 19-17.

The second half started out much like the first.  The Cougars held a slim 32-31 advantage after NCWC's Essence Chambers hit a running jumper in the lane with 8:30 remaining.  Unfortunately for the Bishops, it would be their last field goal of the contest, enabling AU to pull away down the stretch.

AU's Kristyn Wharton put the team on her shoulders in the second half, netting 15 of her game-high 19 points in the period.  Gretchen Sheperty tallied a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Bishops, Cheyenne Hall recorded a team-high 12 points and pulled down eight boards.  As a team, NCWC connected on just 9-of-26 attempts at the charity stripe.   

Wesleyan returns to action on Saturday when the Bishops host Mary Baldwin College. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. in Everett Gymnasium.

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