LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Alexis McGhee, Amber Charles, and Kanetra Gonzalez all scored 14 points, and the nearby Tennessee Temple Crusaders pulled away from the Covenant Lady Scots basketball team Thursday night.  The 67-57 decision is Covenant's eighth loss of the year and the third to Temple over the last two seasons.  Gonzalez added 5 of her 14 points from the free throw line in the remaining 90 seconds to help the Crusaders seal the win.

Jessie Blankenship scored 25 points and Kiaira Cooper had 10 for the Lady Scots (1-8) who saw another close game slip out of reach.  Tennessee Temple led for all but about two and a half minutes but never by more than 8 until its last possession.  Covenant had the lead on 3 different occasions but never by more than a single point.

The two teams battled closely through the first half.  Tennessee Temple amassed a 7 points lead with 6:43 remaining before Covenant surged back with 3 straight made baskets and eventually took the lead on a 3-pointer from Margaret Cross.  Two possessions later, Covenant took the lead again but Gonzalez's 3-pointer in the remaining seconds gave the Crusaders a 25-23 advantage at halftime.

In the second half, the Lady Scots shot an impressive 52.4% from the floor, but Temple was able to match them bucket for bucket and knock down important free throws in the final minutes.  Indeed, free throws proved to be the deciding factor; Covenant made only 12 of 24 (50.0%) while Temple made 20 of 27 (74.1%).

The Lady Scots head back on the road early next week for a contest against Piedmont College.  They will then be back home on Thursday for a re-match against Maryville College.