Danville, VA-The Salem College basketball team went on two significant runs but were held off by Averett in USA South East action. The Cougars went on to win 89-74 at home. Mikayla Seivers led the Spirits with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Sabrina Shepherd dropped 26 points. Salem falls to 3-7 overall and 1-2 in the USA South, while Averett improves to 5-5 and 2-1.

The Cougars jumped out to a 25-19 lead after the first quarter and added to the lead to make it 46-35 at the half. Salem went on a 19-6 run to take the lead in the third quarter. Averett took the lead back in the third and led 66-61 going into the final quarter.

Shepherd shot 9-14 from the field, including 4-6 from three point land. Seivers led the team with 6 assists, while Hannah McBride had a team high 4 steals.

Averett held a 57-47 rebound advantage, while Averett had 28 turnovers and Salem only had 20. The Spirits will return home this weekend with two important USA South games against Methodist and NC Wesleyan.