DANVILLE, Va. - The CNU men's basketball team dropped the first half of its western Virginia road swing, falling to Averett, 88-72, Saturday.

The Captains led early until a layup by Brandon Malone put the Cougars on top, 10-9, with 15:26 to go in the half and was part of an 11-0 run that put the hosts on top, 17-9. By halftime the Cougars held a 47-32 edge and CNU never got closer than nine the rest of the way.

Theo Baker led CNU with 13 points, including three of four three-pointers. Conley Taylor added 12 points.

For Averett, which is now 6-9 and 3-1 in USA South play were paced by Kenny Hart with 24 points and Chad Hardway with 21.

CNU is now 6-8 overall and 1-2 in the conference and visits Ferrum Sunday at 2.

The box score