DANVILLE, Virginia -- The Ferrum College men's basketball team used a strong second half effort to come from behind and top Averett University on the road in a non-conference affair Monday night.

RECORDS
Ferrum (4-4)
Averett (5-3)

THE BASICS
Averett took the advantage early in this one, as the Panthers only lead in the half was 9-8 with 14:45 to play in the first stanza. The Cougars used a 19-12 run down the stretch of the first half to head into the halftime break with the 43-31 advantage.

Ferrum used a big first half from Kajuan Madden-McAfee, as he netted a team-high nine points in the half. Rashad Reed knocked down seven points and Brandon Reeves was close behind with five points to help the Panther's effort. The scoring came at a balance for Averett in the opening stanza, as Timothy Henry scored nine points to go along with four rebounds and two assists and Isaiah Jones matched Henry's nine point effort in the half. Montre' Cash had a big opening twenty minutes as well, recording eight points, six rebounds and four assists while also adding a steal. Corey Baldwin played some big minutes off the bench for the Cougars, scoring eight points with a block and a steal.

Averett would hang on to the lead through most of the second half, as Ferrum would pull within a few possessions on many occasions. The Panthers would take their first lead of the second half when James Smith Jr. converted a layup to put Ferrum up 70-69 with just :48 left. Ferrum would never give up the lead again in the game, as Reed and Madden-McAfee would each convert from the free throw line to shut the door on the Cougars.

It was the Reed show for Ferrum in the second half, as he burned the Cougar defense for 16 points in the closing stanza. Smith Jr. added nine points of his own, and Marcus Plair notched eight points to go along with three rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal. Carrington Young made the most of his minutes as well, contributing five points, two rebounds, and assist and a steal. For Averett, Cash continued his solid performance with 11 points in the second half. Henry added six points to go along with four rebounds and three assists. Moriba Diaby recorded four points and four rebounds, but it was not enough for Averett in the end.

KEY STATS
Ferrum: Reed 23 pts, 3 reb; Madden-McAfee 11 pts, 4 ast, 3 stl; Smith Jr. 11 pts, 3 ast, 2 reb
Averett: Cash 19 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl; Henry 15 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast; Jones 11 pts, 3 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk

BEHIND THE WHISTLE
"That was a gutsy win for our guys. I'm so proud of the effort and composure in the second half. We definitely left a lot to be desired with our play in the first half and on the defensive glass overall, but we found a way to win, and that is what matters. We are back to work tomorrow." --Head Coach Tyler Sanborn

UP NEXT
Coach Sanborn's team will head to Lexington, Virginia, to take on Virginia Military Institute in an exhibition game Wednesday, December 11. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. inside Cameron Hall.