DANVILLE, Va.- The Randolph men's basketball team faced Averett on the road on Wednesday evening. It was a two-possession game early in the second half but the host Cougars pulled away late in the period to come away with a 74-55 win.

Averett got out to a 7-0 lead in the first half. Randolph got to within five points at 9-5 but the Cougars pulled away to eventually go ahead 22-8 with 7:25 remaining in the period. The WildCats were able to cut its deficit down to single digits, 26-20, with 1:25 left in the half with a 12-4 run. The score stood at 29-22 in Averett's favor at halftime.

It was 33-28 Averett at the 15:46 mark of the second half. The Cougars then went on a 27-6 run that broke the game open and gave the home team a 60-34 lead with 5:53 remaining. The 'Cats were able to crack the AU advantage late but could not pull any closer than 13 points.

Randolph was 20-of-58 (34.5%) from the floor on the evening but just 5-of-20 (25%) from behind the three-point arc. The Cougars were 27-of-59 (45.8%) overall and 3-of-20 (15%) in three-point attempts. Averett led in rebounds 49-27.

Aveion Tucker (Newport News, Va./Woodside HS) scored 12 points, pulled down five rebounds, dished out two assists, and came away with two steals. TJ James Jr. (Virginia Beach, Va./Salem HS) also scored 12 points. Elijah Cox (Galax, Va./Carroll County) finished with 10 points. Khalil Caple (Suffolk, Va./Kings Fork HS) contributed nine points, three steals, and two assists.

Randolph travels to Washington and Lee on Saturday. Game time will be at 2:00 p.m.