LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Callum Sears scored 15 points in the first 10 minutes to help Covenant gain a lead as big as 15 points, but the North Carolina Wesleyan Battling Bishops stormed back in the second half to defeat Covenant 82-65 on Saturday afternoon.
With the loss, Covenant has dropped three straight games and sees their record fall to 4-4 on the year. The defeat is also the Scots' first home loss of the season. North Carolina Wesleyan, who competes in the USA South Athletic Conference, moves to 6-3.
Coming off a tough loss in overtime at Oglethorpe University on Wednesday night, Covenant looked poised to start fast. Led by Sears' 15 points, the Scots dominated the visitors and led 34-19 after a jumper by Damien Chaney with 7:08 left in the first half. During the stretch, Sears connected on three 3-pointers and Covenant's ball movement was impeccable. For the half the Scots dished out 12 assists on 14 made field goals.
North Carolina Wesleyan made a run before the end of the first half to cut the Scots lead down to just four points at 36-32. In the second half, the Bishops took control of the contest. Justin Griffith's 3-pointer at the 18:10 mark of the second half gave the Bishops their first lead of the game at 41-40 and they would never look back. Wesleyan then took their largest lead of the game at 75-54 with a free-throw by Devin Nichols with just under five minutes remaining.
"We lost to a really good team today," Covenant head coach Kyle Taylor noted. "They were in the NCAA tourney last year and are very athletic. They like to play up and down. We want to play up and down also, but need to bring more consistency and energy."
Despite fouling out midway through the second half, Sears led Covenant with 15 points. Jon DeVries added 10 points and seven rebounds while T.J. Cox scored six points to go along with a team-high nine assists. Colton McGriff chipped in six points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Wesleyan placed four players in double figures led by Alex Murray's 19 points and 11 rebounds. Griffith had 17 points, Josh Morrison added 13 points and three assists. Domarius Thomas and Matt Dougherty scored 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
The Scots will now be off for almost a week to focus on final exams. Covenant will host Millsaps College on Dec. 15 with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.
