The Pfeiffer University men’s basketball team bolted out to a huge first half lead and was never threatened in a 95-79 win over Averett University in Merner Gym Wednesday.

The Falcons (8-8, 4-6 USA South) built a 15-10 lead following a layup from senior Kyle Riddley at the 14:37 mark. After allowing the Cougars to pull to 15-13, Pfeiffer went on a 14-0 run over the next 5:17 to give the Falcons a 29-13 lead.

Pfeiffer then kept the Cougars at bay, taking a 59-31 lead into halftime.

The Falcons would stretch their lead to as many as 30 points when Josiah Avington hit a free throw at the 9:35 mark to make it 79-49.

Averett would cut the Pfeiffer lead to no less than 12 the rest of the way, with the Falcons taking the eventual 95-79 USA South win, improving to 4-6 in league play and 9-8 overall.

Averett drops to 3-15 and 3-7 in conference play with the loss.

Riddley kept his successful season going, hitting for a team-high 27 points and pulling down five rebounds.  Avington added 21 points for the Falcons while going 5-of-6 from long range. Teammate Craig Sabb finished with 15 points, going 6-of-9 from the field while hitting two 3-pointers.

Guard Gabe Miller also had a great outing, scoring seven points, dishing a team-high eight assists and swiping five steals on the night.