LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Visiting Averett used a 24-6 scoring run over the final 10 minutes to defeat the Covenant men's basketball team 75-64 in USA South action on Saturday afternoon inside Barnes Physical Education Center.
Colton McGriff led all scorers with 24 points, while collecting 11 rebounds, but it wasn't enough as Covenant drops back to .500 on the year at 6-6 and 1-1 in conference play. Averett picks up its first USA South win of the season as they move to 3-7 overall and 1-1 in league games.
Covenant held a 58-51 lead with 10:08 left in the second half after Nate Frierson buried a pull-up jumper, but the Scots had difficulty finding the net after that. Averett slowly chipped away at its deficit, eventually taking a 62-60 lead on a Paul Porter tip-in with 5:28 left.
Another Frierson jumper cut the Covenant deficit to 67-64 with 2:57 remaining, but Covenant would get no closer.
Ben Phelps totaled 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting for Covenant. Frierson tallied nine points and three assists. Teron Ferguson collected a game-high four steals.
Averett was led by JaColby Hawkins' 16-point effort in a reserve role. Trevor West had 11 points, dished out six assists and had nine rebounds while Bradley Robinson and Carter Jones each grabbed 11 boards in the win.
The first half was a tightly played affair as Averett took a small 39-37 lead heading into the break after a Robinson layup with just a few ticks left.
In the second half, Covenant took a 52-46 lead after a 9-0 scoring spurt that was capped by a Daniel Garrett steal and layup with 14:20 remaining. The Scots would push their lead out to seven at 58-51 before Averett came storming back to claim the victory.
Covenant connected on 43.9 percent (25-of-57) from the field and 10-of-16 from the foul line. Averett made just 40.3 percent (25-of-62), but had a 48-31 rebounding edge, including 19-7 on the offensive glass. Averett used those 19 offensive rebounds for 16 second-chance points.
Covenant will be back in action next Friday when they host USA South member Methodist. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m., or 25 minutes after the women's game concludes.
