DANVILLE, Va. – Shenandoah University held a double-digit lead in its USA South Conference women's basketball contest with Averett University Saturday afternoon, but could not hold it as AU took a 52-47 decision.

Shenandoah (5-8, 2-2 USA South) led by as many as 14 points late in the first half, but saw the Lady Cougars (5-8, 1-3) storm back following the break.

After SU scored the initial bucket of the second, Averett scored the next seven points of the contest to cut the deficit to 26-22 with 18:10 remaining.

The Hornets answered with a 7-3 run, but the Lady Cougars had another run in them. AU scored the next seven points over a span of 2:59 to bring them within one, 33-32, with 12:03 showing. From this point on, the lead never increased above five points until the waning moments of the contest.

Shenandoah maintained the advantage it had held until Samantha Powell gave the hosts the lead for good when she rebounded her own miss of a three-point shot and hit a jumper in the lane.

The margin quickly became five points as Averett induced a pair of turnovers on Shenandoah's next two possessions, but SU got it to within one, 45-44, with 2:42 to play. Unfortunately for the Hornets, this would be as close as they would come the rest of the way.

AU hit three of its six free throws down the stretch in addition to a pair of field goals in the paint while the Hornets were 1 for 3 from the field and missed one of two free throws.

Sophomore Netagia Foreman led SU with 10 points while CeCe Carter had 15 for the victors.

Box Score/Play by Play 

Shenandoah is back in action tomorrow afternoon at Ferrum College.