DANVILLE, Va. -- Rashawn Speas had a game-high 18 points, but Ferrum College dropped a 76-69 USA South Athletic Conference men's basketball game to Averett University tonight at the Grant Center.

Averett led by two at the break, only to see Ferrum come back in the second half to take a 54-51 lead at 11:01 on Jamal Pullen's jumper. The Cougars tied the game at 54-54 on the next possession when Devontae Pannell stuck a three-pointer with 11:01 left to play, then took the lead for good on a Carter Jones jumper at 10:18.

Averett (14-6, 8-2 USA South) got 16 points each from Jones and Trevor West, and 14 points from Cody Stephens. Pullen had 15 points and Marcus Huff added 12 for the Panthers. Ferrum (7-13, 2-7 USA South) returns to action Saturday, Feb. 8, at Methodist University. The USA South game is part of a USA South doubleheader in which the men begin at 2:00 p.m. and the women tip off at 4:00 p.m.