LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- For just the second time in 13 tries this season, the Covenant Scots were on the winning end of the score as they defeated the Spalding University Eagles 75-62 on New Years Eve at Barnes Gymnasium.  The win marks the first home victory for the Scots since a 70-66 win over LaGrange College on January 11, 2010.
 
Covenant got out to a quick start in this game and would never look back.  The Scots got out to a 9-0 lead after Kacey Chambers' three-pointer with 14:56 left in the first half.  The shots kept falling for the Scots in the first half, something that has not happened often this season.  Covenant shot 52.2% (12-23) for the half as they extended their early nine-point advantage out to 14 at 26-12 with just under five minutes left before intermission.  The Scots kept their double-digit lead into the break thanks to Chambers drilling another from behind the arc that put the home team up 33-21 at the break.
 
In the second half, the Scots would not let up as they jumped on the Eagles by scoring on their first two possessions, a three-pointer from Logan Dahms then a steal by Dahms and basket from Sam Bowman, to extend the lead to 38-21.  Covenant took their largest lead of the game at the 11:54 mark of the second half with a three-pointer from Callum Sears, making it a 52-30 game.  The Eagles would make a run to cut the Covenant lead to 9 with 2:14 left, but Covenant converted crucial free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
 
Covenant had their best shooting game of the year as they shot a season-high from the field (54.5%) and from three-point territory (50%).  The Scots also hit 19-27 free throws (70.4%) and had more assists (17) than turnovers (13).
 
Kacey Chambers led all players with 21 points, including going 3-5 on threes as well as 8-10 from the foul line.  Callum Sears scored 19 points, while forwards Sam Bowman and Jon DeVries had 13 and 12 points, respectively.  Dominique McGaughey led Covenant (2-11) in assists with 6 while committing only 2 turnovers.
 
Spalding (3-6) was led by DeWhon McAfee and his 13 points and 4 assists. Deshaun Curtis chipped in 11 points and 5 rebounds for the Eagles.
 
The Scots will hit the road for their next four contests, beginning with Greensboro College on Tuesday, January 4 in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Covenant's next home game is part of a doubleheader with the women's team on Saturday, January 22 with the men taking the floor at 4:00pm against Rust College.