LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Sophomore Callum Sears scored 20 first half points, but the 24th ranked Emory University Eagles outlasted Covenant in the second half and came away with an 80-67 win over Covenant Tuesday night at Barnes Gymnasium.

Emory came into the game with a perfect 6-0 record, but Covenant was up to the challenge early in this one.  The Scots sprinted out to a 7-0 advantage just three minutes into the game after a jumper from Sears.  Covenant led for most of the half until a three pointer from Emory's Alex Gulotta put the Eagles up 31-30 with 5:20 left before halftime.  After an Emory turnover, Sears nailed his fourth three pointer of the half to put the Scots back in the lead at 36-35, and the Scots would increase that lead to two at 38-36 going into the half.

Covenant came out of the break and connected on their first two shot attempts to up their lead to 42-38 less than a minute into the half.  The Eagles then went on a little run of their own as they scored the next nine points, capped off by steal and basket from Alex Greven, to put Emory back in the driver's seat.  The Eagles stretched their lead all the way out to 12 points at 60-48 before the Scots would make one last push.  Covenant cut the Eagles lead to five after a Jon DeVries steal and uncontested dunk (pictured at left) made it 60-55 with 9:15 remaining in the contest.  But it was not meant to be on this night for the home team as Emory then went on an 11-2 scoring run to put the game away.

Sears ended up with a game-high 22 points but was held to just two points in the second half on 1-3 shooting.  Devries had a solid night off the bench for the Scots (1-6), getting 12 points and 5 rebounds as well as 3 steals.  Sam Bowman also recorded 12 points to go along with 7 boards.

Emory (7-0) put five players in double figures in scoring led by Jake Davis and his 18 point effort.  Corey Spraggins and Austin Claunch each had 14 points while Greven and Gulotta contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Covenant shot 43% (25-58) from the field and hit 7-19 three point shots while turning the ball over 13 times.  The Scots forced the Eagles into 14 turnovers, including 10 steals.  Emory shot 34% (8-23) from behind the arc.

The Scots will be back in action at Barnes Gymnasium twice more this week.  Thursday, the Scots and Lady Scots will host GSAC foe Piedmont College.  Tip-offs are set for 5:00pm and 7:00pm.  On Saturday, Huntingdon College comes up the mountain for the men and women's doubleheader, scheduled to begin at 2:00pm.