WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University posted its third straight USA South Conference women's basketball victory of 2011 with a 53-44 win over Averett University Saturday afternoon.

Shenandoah (7-7, 3-4 USA South) scored the first 10 points of the game and never trailed to earn its 10th straight home victory over Averett (7-6, 3-5).

The Cougars, who dressed just eight players for the contest, battled back from that 10-point deficit to tie the game at 23-23 with 4:30 remaining in the first half.

After a 2:16 scoreless stretch, Nicole Gilbertson converted a layup for the Hornets to give them the lead for good.

Gilbertson's layup, at 2:14, started an 8-0 run for the hosts to end the first half.

Shenandoah, which struggled to a 6 for 22 performance (27.3 percent) from the field in the second after shooting nearly 54 percent (14 for 26) in the first, maintained its advantage by forcing 12 AU turnovers after the break.

SU scored nearly half of its points, 22, off of Cougars turnovers and led by at least five points for the remainder of the contest.

Averett cut it to that five-point deficit on two different occasions, the last with 5:24 left following a pair of Liz Martin free throws.

The two teams then had another scoreless streak, this one 2:36, before Sierra Edwards started an 8-0 run with a layup at the 2:48 mark.

Mandy Johnston and Crystal Williams followed with a jumper and two free throws, respectively, to clinch the contest for the Hornets.

Edwards paced the victors with 11 points - she was the only SU player in double figures.

Ashley Washington had a game-highs in points, 15, and rebounds, 22, for the Cougars.

Shenandoah hosts league power Ferrum on Wednesday at 5:30.