BRIDGEWATER, Va. - Bridgewater overcame a frigid shooting effort early in the game to defeat the Averett University Cougars, 73-64, Tuesday night in the season opener.

The Eagles had trouble finding the range early in the contest, shooting less than 20 percent from the floor in the first 10 minutes to fall behind 19-9.

Cody Griffith then started to heat up from the perimeter and the Eagles went on a 21-3 run to take go on top 30-22. Griffith knocked down three 3-pointers during the BC run.

Bridgewater led by seven, 34-27, at the half and withstood an Averett run early in the second half when the Cougars tied the score at 48-48.  The Eages led by 12 points, 46-34, before a 14-2 Averett run knotted the score.

The Eagles then scored the next 10 points to regain the upper hand. Griffith hit a pair of driving layups and two foul shots to put BC on top 54-48. Ryan Johnson pulled up to knock down a 15-footer and then added a layup after a steal at midcourt to push the Eagles lead to 58-48.

The Cougars continued to hang around and a 3-pointer by Justin Pierce pulled the visitors to within three, 64-61, with 2:04 left to play.

Daniel McClain then connected on a jump hook from the right block to push the lead to five and, after a defensive stop, Ronnie Thomas converted a three-point play with 39 seconds left to put the Eagles on top by eight.

Griffith, the lone senior on the Eagles' roster led all scorers with 23 points. Freshman Aaro Adams scored 16 in his first collegiate game and sophomore guard Ronnie Thomas added 10 points and five assists. Johnson, another BC freshman added eight points in 13 minutes of action.

Bridgewater battled the Cougars to a standoff on the glass in the first half, but the Cougars owned the boards in the second half and finished with a 52-40 edge in rebounds. Daniel McClain led the Eagles' efforts with seven rebounds.

Bridgewater's defensive effort held Averett to just 38.3 percent shooting and forced 22 turnovers. The Eagles bounced back from their miserable shooting performance in the first 10 minutes to shoot 39 percent for the game. Bridgewater turned the ball over 13 times.

Sunil Ran and Justin Pierce led the Cougars with 12 points each and Nick Ford added 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds.