Charlotte, NC - The Johnson & Wales Charlotte women's basketball team won their third consecutive game on Thursday night, besting Averett 71-59.

JWU jumped out to a 14-5 lead after the 1st quarter as they held the Cougars to 1 of 11 shooting and forced 10 turnovers. The Wildcats pushed the lead to a dozen at the break, 37-25, as Jayla Lovett came off the bench to lead JWU in scoring with 9 first half points. 

Tanaeschia Dorsey took over in the second half, scoring 19 of her 26 points, including 8 of 8 from the free throw line as the JWU lead grew to as many as 21 early in the 4th quarter. Averett cut the lead to as few as 11 midway through the fourth, but the Wildcats answered with a 7-0 run to quell any further rally.

JWU forced 35 Averett turnovers on the evening, and held the Cougars to 34.4% shooting from the field.

Dorsey added 2 assists and 5 steals to her 26 points. Lovett finished with 12 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Jordan Durant notched her third consecutive double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. 

Johnson & Wales is next in action on Saturday, December 17th when they travel to Salem for a 2:00 PM tipoff.