Danville, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg women's basketball team fell just short against Averett, 65-64, in a back-and-forth battle that featured 12 lead changes and eight ties on Saturday afternoon at the Grant Center.
Down the stretch in the final quarter, the advantage flipped five times and the score was tied twice, including a 60-60 deadlock with 3:37 to go. The Hornets (12-11, 5-9 ODAC) led the Cougars (7-15, 3-11) by three with 1:18 left on the clock following a bucket from
Kate Littlejohn and two made free throws from
Brooke Cason. After Averett's Brianna Sams scored in the paint with a minute remaining, neither side could convert any points until the Cougars drew a foul with seven seconds left. DaiShaundria Giggetts hit both of her shots from the foul line and gave AU a one-point lead, which would be the final points of the contest.
The Hornets opened the game with strong energy on both ends of the floor and finished the first quarter trailing by just one, 17-16. Lynchburg shot .400 percent from the field in the opening period and used balanced scoring to stay even with the Cougars. Lynchburg outscored Averett 12-9 in the second frame and took a 28-26 lead into halftime after holding Averett to .235 percent shooting in the second quarter.
Audra Petty and Littlejohn paced the offense early with nine points apiece.
The third quarter proved to be Lynchburg's most productive offensive stretch, as the Hornets outscored Averett 22-21 and led by as many as eight during the quarter. Lynchburg shot .727 percent from the field in the period, including four-of-six from 3-point range, and carried a 50-47 lead into the final quarter. Averett edged Lynchburg 18-14 in the fourth quarter, using free throws and second-chance points to regain the lead late. Lynchburg continued to battle down the stretch but was unable to convert on its final possession with just seconds left.
Petty led Hornet scorers with 24 points on seven-of-13 shooting while adding five rebounds and two steals. Littlejohn followed with 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Taylor Brown provided a spark off the bench with 10 points on five-of-six shooting, while Cason scored eight points, grabbed seven boards, and dished out three assists. Lynchburg finished the game shooting .431 percent from the field and .450 percent from 3-point range.
The Hornets return home for their next contest, welcoming Roanoke to Turner Gymnasium on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.
Visit Lynchburg athletics' home online,
LynchburgSports.com, anytime for up-to-date news on all Hornets sports and coverage from the
Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network.
Sign up
here to receive Lynchburg Sports news in your email inbox.
Give Lynchburg Athletics a like on
Facebook, and follow Lynchburg Athletics on
Instagram and
X.
--LYN--
