RALEIGH, N.C. - The Meredith basketball program came up short against old USA South foe Averett University 57-52 Thursday night inside Weatherspoon Gymnasium. 

The Avenging Angels out scored the Cougars 17-6 in the second quarter securing a 27-18 lead headed into halftime. 

Averett responded in the third by outscoring Meredith 24-5. The Angels trailed by 10 headed into the final quarter of action. 

Four fourth quarter threes from senior Piper Carriere led comeback for the Angels but fell just short. Carriere finished with a team-high 22 points. Fellow senior Danika Ray scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds. 

Sophomore Rylie Wade grabbed 12 rebounds and scored five while junior Emma Lodge tallied five points and eight rebounds. 

The Angels are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Ferrum College at 2 p.m.