Caprice Laws

Justin Henderson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gary Holden, Sports Info. Director
(540) 365-4306

January 16, 2008


Panthers Earn Doubleheader Sweep Over Averett

FERRUM, Va. -- Ferrum College eked out a 70-67 win over Averett University in men's basketball tonight to complete a USA South Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep of the Cougars. Ferrum's women won easily 72-43 earlier in the evening.

Men's Box Score:  Ferrum 70, Averett 67
Women's Box Score: Ferrum 72, Averett 43

In the men's game, the Panthers trailed by 13 (34-21) at halftime, but battled back to outscore Averett 49-33 in the second half.  The game was the USA South opener for both teams.  Averett is the defending USA South Tournament champion.

Leading the way for Ferrum (7-7, 1-0 USA South) were Derek Mitchell and Keith Crump.  Mitchell had another double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Crump was the game's high scorer with 22 points, including 4-8 shooting from behind the three-point line.  Crump's three-point field goal with 21 seconds remaining in regulation gave Ferrum a 68-64 lead and proved to be the eventual game-winner.

Cory McDaniel led Averett (6-8, 0-1 USA South) with 16 points.  Jonathan Rumley and Damian Brown had 15 and 13 points, respectively.   McDaniel missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime.

In the women's game, Ferrum (5-5, 3-0 USA South) opened a 44-17 lead at halftime and never looked back.  The Panthers were led by Miranda Carrasco's 14 points and Kierra Parker's 10.  Ferrum had 11 players that saw 10 minutes or more of playing time.

The Panthers shot 56 percent from the floor in the first half, compared to Averett's 27 percent.  The win was Ferrum's fifth consecutive after opening the season at 0-5, and keeps the Panthers unbeaten in league play at 3-0.

Averett (2-7, 1-2 USA South) was led by Taylor Poirier, who had 13 points.  Kristyn Wharton and Sabrina Allen added 11 points each in the loss. 

Ferrum returns to action Jan. 19 at Methodist University in a USA South doubleheader.  The women tip of at 5:30 p.m., followed immediately by the men.

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