For immediate release – 11/18/2014 - #172
Big Second Half Lifts Hornets past Averett in Home Opener
LYNCHBURG, VA – The Lynchburg College men's basketball team rallied from a halftime deficit and outscored Averett University 36-28 in the second half in route to a 55-50 non-conference victory in the home opener Tuesday.
Lynchburg kept the game close in the first half due in large part to the offensive effort by Zack Burnett. The sophomore guard scored nine of Lynchburg's 19 first-half points.
The Hornets cut the gap early in the second half as Alex Graves opened up the final 20 minutes with a jumper to close to 22-21.
Carter Jones answered with a layup for the Cougars but Daniel Rowe knocked down a three-pointer for the Hornets the next trip up the floor as Lynchburg tied the contest for the fourth time.
Two minutes later, Averett's Bradley Robinson converted on an and-1 opportunity in advance of a pair of free throws by Jones to give the Cougars their largest lead of the game, at six points, 33-27, with 16:15 remaining.
Lynchburg was able to fight back and take the lead in the next minute as Austen Arnold and A.J. Hamilton converted on layups before a fast-break and-1 layup by Burnett gave the Hornets a 34-33 edge.
Averett found itself in foul trouble and Lynchburg took advantage as Alex Graves connected on eight free throws down the stretch to put the Hornets up four points at 42-38 with 7:54 remaining.
Daniel Rowe knocked down a three-pointer a minute and a half later to net the Hornets the seven-point lead.
Averett closed to within a point as Robinson drained a three-pointer at 51-50 with 33 seconds but three different Hornets knocked down four free throws to ice the Cougars late.
Graves led the Hornets with 19 points, eight rebounds and five blocks while going 9-10 at the charity stripe. Burnett was in double-figures for the second-straight game with 15 points.
Robinson led all scorers with 20 points for Averett (0-1). Jones collected a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Lynchburg (2-0) hosts #24 Christopher Newport University (1-0) for a non-conference matchup Sunday at 2 p.m.