LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Sophomore forward
Jamarcus Brown delivered a defining performance at Turner Gymnasium, scoring a career-high 36 points to lead the University of Lynchburg men's basketball team to an 84-73 ODAC victory over Averett.
Lynchburg (12-9, 7-5) asserted itself from the opening possession. Jake Hart converted at the rim to open the scoring, and Brown quickly established a rhythm, accounting for the next 11 of the Hornets' first 13 points in the opening 4:30.
A three-pointer from Jayson Easton and a two-hand finish by Elijah Thomas punctuated a sustained Lynchburg surge, one that continued as Brown added eight more points to widen the margin. By the 10:42 mark of the first half, Brown had 19 points, while Averett (12-6, 5-5) was held to 10 as a team.
The Hornets pushed the lead to 17 before Averett found success from beyond the arc late in the half, trimming the deficit to 10 at the break. It would be the final significant shift in momentum.
The second half unfolded on Lynchburg's terms. Averett managed brief scoring spurts but never brought the game within a single possession. Each attempt to close the gap was answered with timely execution from the Hornets.
Michael Gray finished with 13 points, while Easton added 11 and Jesse Mitchell contributed eight, providing steady scoring support as the game wore on. On the defensive end, Mitchell, Thomas, and Hart combined to disrupt passing lanes and fuel transition opportunities.
Brown's 36 points stand as the second-highest single-game total in the ODAC this season. He shot 62.5 percent (15-of-24) from the floor and added six rebounds and two blocks.
With the win, Lynchburg moves into fifth place in the ODAC standings with four regular-season games remaining. The Hornets return to action Wednesday, Jan. 11, when they host Hampden-Sydney at Turner Gymnasium.
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--LYN--
