Central Shenandoah News

Men's Basketball Falls to Averett

 The Bridgewater College men's basketball team fell to Averett 66-64 on Saturday.

THE BASICS

Final Score: Averett 66, Bridgewater 64

Records: Bridgewater 13-12 (8-8 ODAC), Averett 10-15 (6-10 ODAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The two squads traded three-pointer to start the contest and a pair of free throws from Liam Caswell gave the Eagles a 5-3 lead early. The Cougars knocked down another triple, but an Aaron Oates layup gave the Eagles the lead back on the next possession. AU scored quickly to go back in front, but an Oates triple and another Caswell bucket gave the Eagles a 12-8 lead for the first two-possession lead for either side.
• Both sides traded scores until another three-pointer from Averett tied the game at 20-20. After an offensive foul, AU took the lead with a Jason Sellars layup, but Caswell tied the game as Shod Smith found him down low for a score. Right on cue, the Cougars nailed another three-pointer to take the advantage. Once more the teams traded baskets until a second-chance score from Smith put BC back out in front. Both teams traded the lead over the final six minutes and BC was able to take the lead into the half thanks to a Caswell layup with just over a minute left.
• Again, the two sides traded the lead until an Andy Pack layup sparked a scoring outburst from the Eagles. The visitors stormed out to an 11-2 run capped off by another Pack baskets to take a 50-40 lead with 15:31 left to play. The two sides got back I the tennis match style rhythm, with each side trading scores until Averett put together a five-point burst to cut the lead in half. Three free throws from BC pushed the lead back out to eight before another bucket trading sequence. Mikey Ayala nailed a three-pointer with just under eight minutes to play, giving the Eagles a 60-49 lead, the largest of the night.
• The next seven minutes belonged to the Cougars. The home side went on a 14-2 run capped off by a Jalen Rowell triple to take the lead with 1:31 left to play. Another Rowell basket extend the AU advantage to three points before Caswell knocked down a pair at the line to put the Eagles back to within a point. After the pair at the charity stripe Averett turned the ball over. Pack had a look from beyond the arc to try and take the lead but missed forcing BC to foul. AU missed both free throws giving the Eagles a chance, but an offensive foul in the final seconds handed the ball back to the Cougars. Once again, BC was forced to foul. Jordan Lewis made the front end for AU but missed the second shot. Caswell secured the rebound and immediately called a timeout. On the inbound play, Pack looked for the long pass, but had it broken up as time expired for Averett to secure the victory.

MATCH FACTS

• Caswell led BC with 20 points and added eight rebounds. Oates added 16 of his own to go along with nine rebounds.
• Rowell added 20 of his own for Averett and Lewis scored 15 and added seven rebounds and a trio of helpers.
• Smith was the only other Eagle to cross into double figures with 16 points along with three rebounds and three assists.
• Averett dominated the offensive glass with 13 boards compared to just one for BC. AU also held a 36.8% clip from beyond the arc, compared to just 27.8% for the Eagles.
• Bridgewater led for 30:30 in a game that featured 12 lead changes and six ties.

UP NEXT

The Eagles return to action on Friday in Salem in the ODAC Men's Basketball Tournament. BC will take on No. 14 Guilford at 8 p.m. in the Salem Civic Center in the quarterfinal round.

Original source can be found here