DANVILLE, Va. - Averett University pulled away down the stretch Monday night to hand the Bridgewater College Eagles a 90-76 setback in the season-opener for both teams.

The Eagles got off to a qucik start behind the hot-shooting hand of senior Kyle Hammond, but a 10-0 spurt gave the Cougars a 24-16 lead with 10-21 left in the first half.

Averett led 41-36 at the break and never trailed in the second half. The Eagles stayed within striking distance and trailed by just four, 72-68, with 4:11 left in the game, but Averett outscored Bridgewater 18-8 over the final four minutes to secure the victory.

A pair of seniors turned in career nights to pace the Bridgewater attack. Hammond hit 7-of-14 shots from 3-point range to score a career high 27 points. Rick Maloney added 14 points and 11 rebounds - both career-high marks. Freshman Rashad Moore poured in 21 points in his collegiate debut.

Victor Cortes paced three Averett players in double digits with 22 points.

The Eagles return to action Friday when they face Southern Virginia in the opening game of the Eastern Mennonite Tip-Off Classic. Game time is 6: 00 p.m.