Roanoke, VA- The Hollins basketball team played their home debut on Saturday afternoon.  Hollins played host to Averett University in a non-conference match-up.  Hollins came into the game looking to even their record at 2-2 while the Cougars came to Roanoke looking to get back in the win column after losing their last game.

Hollins was looking to make it two wins in a row against opponents from the USA South after defeating Mary Baldwin, 58-39, on Thursday night.  However, Averett got the game started by scoring six of the first 10 points to take the lead.  The Cougars, aided by Hollins turnovers, were able to build the lead and pushed their advantage to double digits, 14-4, less than five minutes into the game.  Hollins hit a three pointer to cut the Cougar lead but Averett answered with a long range shot of their own to again lead by 10.  Hollins was able to start playing much better half court defense and cut down on their turnovers as they started to chip away at the lead.  Hollins found themselves down by 12 as the half started to come to a close.  A strong Hollins rally was needed to get back into the match-up before the break and that's exactly what Hollins got.  Trailing 21-33 with three minutes on the clock, Hollins scored 10 of the next 15 points to cut the lead to seven.  Hollins forced a late turnover and as the seconds ticked off the clock, Hollins connected on their sixth, three pointer of the half to make it 38-34 at the break.

After seizing the momentum late in the first half, Hollins used a furious second half start to take their first lead of the contest.  At the midway point of the second frame, Hollins had controlled the action and built a 48-40 advantage.  After an Averett timeout, the Cougars began to cut into the deficit and four minutes later had tied the game at 50-50.  Having flashbacks of their opener against North Carolina Wesleyan, a game that saw Hollins lose a double digit second half lead, Hollins scored a much needed basket to retake the lead.  The home team once again built onto their lead, but four straight Cougar points tied the game with just four minutes left on the clock, 57-57.  A young Hollins team showed the poise of a much more veteran squad as they used excellent half court offensive movement and tough defense to shut out the Cougars the rest of the way.  Hollins scored the game's last seven points to take their home opener in exciting fashion, 64-57. 

Leading scorer Jewellanna Parfitt(Roanoke, VA) led Hollins in scoring with a season high 18 points.  The sophomore guard added seven rebounds, three steals and an assist while senior forward Britney Campbell (Silver Spring, MD) recorded her first double-double of the season.  Campbell registered 10 points, 11 rebounds, and a pair of blocked shots.  Guards Taylor Catron(Tazewell, VA) and Shay Seals(Franklinton, LA)each hit a timely three pointer to held secure the Hollins victory.  With less than a second on the clock, Seals cut the Averett lead to four just before the break while Catron hit a three pointer with the game tied, giving Hollins the lead for good.  Catron and Seals each scored eight points as did first year post player Hannah Moss (Mount Holly, NC). Moss, a six footer, played crucial minutes in the second half giving Hollins a much needed inside presence. 

Jessica Myers led Averett with a solid all around effort.  Myers led the Cougars with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.  Samm Chandler was equally impressive with 10 points, six rebounds, and six steals.  Jonna Koski just missed a double double with nine points and a team high 10 rebounds.

Hollins will open ODAC play on Tuesday night with a visit from the reigning conference champions, Randolph-Macon.  Hollins will tip off with the Yellow Jackets at 7:00pm