Danville, VA - The Johnson & Wales Wildcats (5 - 14) took to the road for the first time in 2013 as they paid a visit to the Averett Cougars (6 - 8). The Wildcats, winners of 2 in a row, and 4 of their last seven were searching for their fourth road win of the season. A career night by Averett's Justin Pierce proved to be the difference in the Cougars 87-73 win.

The game started slowly for both teams, as neither was able to make a field goal for the first 2 and a half minutes of the game. A Michael Daniel layup broke the ice, and gave JWU a 2-1 lead. The score would remain close for the next six minutes until Averett went on a 12-0 run to take a 23-13 lead at the 9:35 mark. The Cougars would extend the lead to as much as 12 before the Wildcats closed the half on a 22-12 run to cut the halftime deficit to 2 at 40-38. Joshua Cohen made two big 3 point baskets in that run, while Kareem Wilson added 5 points during the spurt.

The first six minutes of the second half saw the teams trade volleys. The Wildcats were able to briefly regain the lead for the first time since early in the first half when a Robbie Sterling layup put JWU up 53-52 at the 14:11 mark. Averett would assert itself at the point, led by Justin Pierce and Paul Porter. The pair combined to score 7 points during a 9-0 Cougar run that put them up eight, 61-53 with 11:49 left. The Wildcats would get as close as 7 with 5:29 left, but Averett went on a 8-2 run over the next 2 and a half minutes, highlighted a Sunil Ram 3 pointer to once again take a 13 point advantage.  Averett would coast to the finish with an 87-73 win. The Cougars were led by a career high 33 points from Justin Pierce.

Kareem Wilson was the high scorer for the Wildcats with 13 points. He also had 4 assists and 4 steals. Kindrick Anderson added 11 points, while Mario Irby had another solid game with 10 points and 6 rebounds.

The Wildcats are next in action this weekend as they host the Wildcat Invitational. They face Valor Christian at 8:30pm on Friday and Moravian Prep at 4:00pm on Saturday. Both games are in the Student Center.