FERRUM, Va. — Kristen Keith dialed in a season-high 26 points to propel Ferrum College past Averett University, 73-59, on Saturday afternoon inside Swartz Gymnasium.

The Panthers improve to 9-1overall, 4-0 in the USA South. Averett falls to 7-4 overall, 3-1 in league play.

Keith came into the game needing only 12 points to surpass Niki Claiborne (1,237) and former teammate Tonya Wright (1,238) for sixth place on Ferrum's all-time scoring list. Keith's layup at the 7:34 mark in the first frame gave her 1,238. The stellar senior has 1,253 career points following Saturday's performance.

AU jumped out to a quick start, leading 12-4 through the first five minutes of play. Ferrum quickly responded as Kelsey Frazier dranied a jumper at the 13:44 mark to spark a 16-0 run to put the Black and Gold ahead for good.

Liz Martin converted three free throws to pull the Cougars within five, 23-18, with eight minutes remaining in the half, but that was as close as the visitors could get the rest of the way.

Keith and Frazier combined for 10 points over the next two minutes to extend the Panther advantage to 15, 33-18, with 5:59 to go until break. Ferrum went into halftime ahead, 42-28.

Keith's bucket at the 15:18 mark of the second stanza gave the hosts their largest lead of the game, 46-29.

Averett trimmed its deficit to seven, 54-47, with 6:42 remaining in the game. However, Tesla Akers slammed the door with a trey on the next Panther possession to restore the double-digit lead.

Ferrum connected on 51 percent of its shots, while holding the Cougars to a 30 percent clip. The Panthers out-rebounded AU, 42-33, and turned 25 miscues by the Cougars into 26 points.

Martin paced Averett in scoring with 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds, while Mette Scheiman notched 14 points.

Coach Bryan Harvey's squad, winners of seven straight, will now hit the road for a crucial USA South tilt with Christopher Newport University tomorrow afternoon. The Panthers will be looking to snap an eight-game skid in the series with the Captains. The game tips off at 2 p.m.