DANVILLE, Va. - A late Mary Baldwin rally came up just short Monday evening as Averett held off the Fighting Squirrels, 64-61, to take the win in USA South Athletic Conference action.

Averattt outscored Mary Baldwin 18-9 in the first 4:30 of the second half, increasing a three-point, 27-24, halftime lead to 45-33, the Cougars' largest lead of the second half.

The margin was still 12 points, 57-45, at the 8:28 mark, but an 8-0 Mary Baldwin run, capped by a jumper from guard Jaden Ignacio, trimmed the deficit to 57-53 with 4:56 left in the game.

The Squirrels pulled to within two points, 62-60, on a jumper by Brandon Stoudamire with 1:28 left. Following a missed jumper by the Cougars, Stoudamire was fouled and made 1-of-2 foul shots to pull MBU to within one, 62-61 with 48 seconds remaining.

Jackson Lewis hit two free throws for the Cougars with 12 seconds left for the final margin of victory.

Stoudanore led the Squirrels with 17 points. Tyler Thomas scored 14 points and Ignacio added 10. Vernon Fraley just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

Mary Badlwin returns to action Wednesday evening when it hosts Greensboro.