SALEM - Despite a strong effort from Nicci Moats in her first full game back in action, Roanoke fell in their final game of the calendar year to Averett on Sunday, 60-51.  The Maroons fall to 1-6, 1-2 ODAC while Averett now sits at 5-2 and 2-0 in USA South action.

Moats scored the first two points of the game, but that would be the only time the Maroons would hold the lead during the contest.  Averett's Liz Martin knocked down a trey at the 17:33 mark to take the 3-2 lead for the Cougars.  Both teams kept the game close, and Roanoke even tied the game at 15-15 with a free throw from Kayla Lemke.  However, a jumper from AU's Abby Bailey started a 6-0 run that created a little breathing room for the Cougars.  Averett would hold on to at five point lead heading to the locker rooms at halftime, 33-28.

The Cougars entered the second half hot going on an 11-2 run to increase their halftime lead to 44-30.  Sophomore Paxton Gwin scored the only two points for the Maroons during that run, of an assist from Moats.  The Maroons followed with a streak of their own, netting seven straight points, started by a layup from Kayla Lemke.  With six minutes left, Roanoke trailed by nine 53-44.  Over the next three minutes, the Maroons cut the lead to two with a couple of baskets by Rachel Dellahunt, and three Moats free-throws to make the score 53-51.  However, those would be the last points scored by Roanoke as Averett finished the game with seven more points to end the game ahead, 60-51. 

Paxton Gwin led the Maroons in scoring with 14 points to go along with six rebounds.  Moats tied a career high in blocks, swatting away five shots on the afternoon.  She also was second in scoring with 11 points and led the team in rebounds with eight.  Also in double-digit scoring was Taylor Duggins who tied a career-high 10 points in her effort against Averett

The Maroons will return to action on January 3rd, 2011 as they travel to face Bridgewater College.  That game is scheduled to take place at 7:00 PM.

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