DANVILLE, Va. – The Averett University Women's Basketball Team (1-2) needed an extra period in order to complete its 66-59 rally over Emory & Henry College (1-5) Tuesday evening at the Grant Center. The Cougars overcame a 29-17 halftime deficit in the victory.
The two teams battled to a 7-7 tie early in the contest but E&H used an 18-8 run to put up a 15-25 lead at the 2:36 mark of the first half. The Cougars cut the margin to eight with a pair of free throws, but the Wasps tallied the final four points of the opening 20 minutes for a 29-17 lead at the break. Emory & Henry was 14-for-18 from the free throw line in the first half and held a 22-16 rebounding advantage.
Averett went on a short run coming out of the intermission but E&H responded to push its lead back to double digits. Down by 12 (38-26), the Cougars used a 16-4 run covering 8:22 to tie things up at 42 points apiece. Emory & Henry would pulled back into the lead but Averett matched every run, ending regulation with a layup to tie the game at 57.
In the overtime period, the Cougars drew first blood but a pair of free throws by Wasp junior guard Kristie Langley (Staley, N.C.) knotted the score again. Emory & Henry went cold from the field, missing on all six of its attempts in the extra five minutes as Averett scored the final seven points of the game to win, 66-59.
Oneka Jones led the way for the Cougars as she had 12 points, 11 rebounds and four steals, going six-for-eight from the floor. Jessica Myers and Brianna Taylor added 11 and 10 points, respectively while Alexis Sollars nearly had a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. Averett shot 38.5 percent (25-for-65) for the game including 47.4 percent after halftime.
Langley finished the night with a game-high 16 points and added five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Sophomore forward Karina Farr (Graham, Wash.) had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds and added three steals before fouling out. Senior forward JoBeth Wright (Mooresville, N.C.) had 10 points, six rebounds and four steals off the bench while sophomore forward Amanda Stanley (Mooresville, N.C.) had eight points and four boards.
Emory & Henry shot just 16-for-62 (25.8%) for the game but connected on 24-of-32 (75%) of its free throws. The Wasps had 15 steals, forcing the Cougars into 28 turnovers, but were outrebounded by a 49-45 margin.
E&H will remain on the road on Saturday when it returns to Old Dominion Athletic Conference action. The Wasps will travel to Winchester, Va. to face the Hornets of Shenandoah University at 2:00 p.m.
---E&H---