DANVILLE, Va. – Alize Munn came through with a team-high 14 points and was one of three Salem players to reach double figures, along with Cree Bass (11) and Alize Brooks (10), but Averett avenged a previous 74-61 setback by earning an 80-70 victory over the Spirits when the two teams clashed in Danville, Va., on Thursday evening.

Averett (6-17, 6-10 USA South), competing against Salem for the final time as a USA South Conference member with the Cougars departing to the ODAC next season, was led offensively by the trio of Shunte Bethea (16 points), Kalie Fleming (16) and Camryn Lunsford (15). Lunsford and Fleming were also active on the glass with eight rebounds, helping the Cougars to close 28-of-65 (43.1%) from the field and 22-of-28 (78.6%) at the charity stripe.

Munn was the offensive juggernaut for Salem, hitting 6-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, led the way for the Spirits (3-19, 2-14 USA South). Both Brooks, who closed 5-of-12 from the floor, and Bass, who was 4-of-8 from the floor and 2-of-5 from 3-point range, also made their offensive impact felt on a Salem lineup that was 26-of-71 (36.6%) from the floor and 11-of-14 (78.6%) at the free throw line.

Dionne Sampson drained a 3-pointer just over two minutes into the quarter, but Averett grabbed a 6-3 advantage early in the frame. Kyana Thomas knifed through the lane for the fifth Salem point, scoring a layup, but the Cougars moved in front 10-5. Natasha Guo posted the final two points of the frame, converting two free throws, pulling Salem to within four at the close of the quarter.

Guo added the first two points of the second, drawing Salem to within two, but Averett put together a 10-4 run and established a 22-14 advantage. Bass drove home a 3-pointer to energize the Spirits, who trimmed the margin to 25-21 following a pair of Echendu free throws. Averett scored six of the final 10 points of the quarter to grab a 31-25 lead at the intermission.

The back-and-forth battle continued as Savanah Atkins drained a 3-pointer just 27 seconds into the third, sparking a Salem run that was capped off by a Bass layup as Averett held a 37-34 lead with 7:19 remaining. Munn kept the margin within three, 39-36, just over a minute later, but the Cougars closed out the quarter on an 11-6 run.

Averett was responsible for five of the first nine points, extending its lead to 55-44, but Bass connected on a 3-pointer, following a pass from Munn, to make for a 58-49 score. Davenport tacked on a trey of her own, quickly followed by a Munn triple, as Salem drew to within four, 59-55, at the 6:07 mark. Averett answered with a 5-0 run, stretching the lead to nine, 64-55. Despite eight points from Brooks, seven from Munn and five off the hand of Davenport, the Cougars maintained at least a six-point lead over the final stages of the quarter to secure the win.

Salem remains on the road to face William Peace in Raleigh, N.C., on Saturday, February 12th at 2 p.m.