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Averett Holds Off Methodist, 67-64, Advances To USA South Tournament Championship Game NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Averett University held off a pesky Methodist Monarch squad to advance to its first USA South Championship since the 2000-2001 season, defeating the Monarchs 67-64 in the first semifinal Friday afternoon. The Monarchs trailed by as many as 11 and fought back to lead 56-54 with 6:50 left in the game on a three-pointer by Robert Lee. The Cougars retook the lead and led by as many as five down the stretch. MC had two opportunities to tie the score or even take the lead. Their first opportunity came after Cory McDaniel missed the front end of a 1-and-1. MC came across midcourt and got caught in a trap and Seth Thomas' pass was picked off by AU's Dominique Stevenson. Stevenson then went to the line, made the first free throw and missed the second. After the missed free throw, the Monarchs Fred McDonald fired one up from about 35 feet and his shot hit off the side of the rim, which would have tied it had it gone in. The Monarchs shot 26-of-58 (45%) from the field for the game and trailed by 11, 33-22 at the break. The were just 6-of-22 (27%) from behind the arc and only attempted eight free throws, making six. The Cougars finished the game 26-of-56 (46%) from the floor, 6-of-16 (38%) on threes and 9-of-12 from the stripe. Methodist was led by Robert Lee's 17 points, 13 in the second half. Seth Thomas added 15 points and Eugene Grant contributed 11. Averett was led by Drew Boor's 18 points and six boards. Stevenson contributed 16 points, Sterling Williams and Damien Brown added 10 points each. The Monarchs finish the year 10-17 overall while AU improves to 20-7. Averett recorded 20 wins for the first time since the 1989-1990 season. The Cougars will take on the winner of the CNU/NC Wesleyan game in the championship of the USA South Conference Tournament Saturday at 2 pm. |
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