DANVILLE, Va. – The Bridgewater men's college basketball team bounced back in the win column taking down Averett 69-52 Saturday afternoon.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Bridgewater 69, Averett 52
Records: Bridgewater 7-2 (3-1 ODAC), Averett 1-7 (0-3 ODAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Eagles jumped out on the attack early with Aaron Oates starting things out with a two-point basket which eventually escalated to a 9-0 lead. Averett scored its first bucket nearly four minutes into the game, but Woody Machado and Alec Topper dropped in back-to-back points in the paint to lead 13-2. Scoring continued for Bridgewater as Oates and Topper pushed out to a score of 19-7 with 10:41 to go in the first half.
• At the seven-minute mark Jordan Cooper hit a shot for two to give the Eagles their largest lead of the half at 18, 27-9. Later in the half, Topper scored the bucket while also drawing a foul to ignite more momentum for BC. The defense showed up in a big way to close out the first half with Cooper, Khalil Ward and Will Vetter recording steals under three minutes. Ward sent Bridgewater to the locker room with a 38-23 lead after a layup to end the half.
• Cooper continued his offensive showcase knocking down a jumper at the 16:21 mark increasing the score to 42-28. The Cougars brought the score back within single digits, 44-35, as Jordan Lewis buried a three-pointer forcing the Eagles to call timeout with 13:27 on the clock. Landon Hawes put BC up 11 following a successful layup.
• Bridgewater found success at the charity stripe as Ward and Topper made both of their attempts with the score 59-44 at the 7:47 mark. At one point in the contest, the Eagles' defense held Averett's offense to a two-minute scoring drought. BC closed out the game scoring points from the line as three more players pushed the team to victory 69-52.

MATCH STATS

• Bridgewater shot an impressive 50.0% from the floor while it held the Cougars to just 37.3% shooting.
• The Eagles got it done on the defensive end of the court recording 12 steals with four players each having two. BC racked up 28 points off turnovers as well in the win.
• Topper added to his double-double tally with 19 points to go along with 14 rebounds including five on the offensive glass.
• Cooper led the way on the offensive end recording 20 points. Topper added 19 while Oates tallied 12.

UP NEXT
Bridgewater will return to the court Saturday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. against Penn State Harrisburg after a short break for exams.