GREENSBORO, NC (1/4/06) -- Sophomore Cory McDaniel scored nine of his 15 points during a decisive second-half spurt that lifted visiting Averett to a 97-86 nonconference men's basketball win at Guilford Wednesday night. The Cougars improve to 9-3 with their fifth straight win, while the Quakers fall to 4-6 with their fifth straight setback.

Guilford whittled a 13-point first-half deficit to four by halftime and pulled to within 60-59 on an Eric Belkoski free throw with 12:59 left in the game. McDaniel scored Averett's next six points, including a three-pointer, and rookie Carlos Wilkins added five straight markers to give the Cougars a 71-60 edge less than three minutes later. The spurt started a 22-5 Cougars' burst that coincided with a Quakers' shooting drought. Guilford did not make a field goal during Averett's run and scored only free throws for eight minutes before a Ben Strong bucket with 5:20 left in the game.

Guilford never drew no closer than nine points after Averett's run. The Cougars iced the game by making 11 of 16 free throws in the final five minutes

The loss spoiled a career night for Strong, who netted a game- and career-high 29 points and a game-best eight rebounds. The 6-10 sophomore center made 10 of 13 shots from the floor and scored 22 first-half points. Guilford junior Jordan Snipes scored 16 second-half points and finished with 22 points and six boards

Senior Sterling Williams led Averett's balanced effort with 16 points, nine in the second half. Rookie guard Dominique' Stevenson made six-of-seven field goals, including three-of-four three-pointers, and finished with 15 points off the bench. McDaniel added a team-best seven boards to his 15 points. Sophomore guard Cameron Brown netted 13 points and freshman guard Shaun Hagwood added 12 points. Averett's bench outscored its counterparts, 48-12, and the Cougars made 52.7 percent of their field goals, including 10-of-20 three-pointers.

Guilford resumes Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play Saturday (1/7) at Randolph-Macon at 3:00 p.m. Averett hosts Piedmont Saturday in a 3:00 p.m. nonleague contest.