LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Margaret Cross scored a season-high 22 points and Jessica Chittenden recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds as Covenant defeated Pensacola Christian 60-48 on Friday night.
The win snaps a four-game losing skid for the Lady Scots (3-7) and also avenges an earlier 54-50 loss to Pensacola this season. The Lady Eagles of Pensacola Christian fall to 1-13 for the year.
Cross scored 16 of her 22 points in the first half on 6-for-11 shooting, including three 3-pointers. Covenant led by as many as nine points in the opening half after Liz DeMaria banked in a short jumper to make it 29-20. Pensacola would score the final five points of the half to cut the Lady Scots lead to 29-25 at the break.
Pensacola continued their comeback in the second half when they tied the game at 34-34 on a basket by Karen Kendall. But Covenant had the answer as they would go on an 18-5 scoring run over the next 7:30 capped by a pair of free-throws by Chittenden that made it 52-39 with just under five minutes left. From there, the Lady Scots would see their lead go under double digits just briefly before the final horn.
In addition to Cross and Chittenden, Jessie Blankenship came off the bench to score 11 points and grab eight rebounds. Ruth Gibson, Hannah Craft, and Christine Core all had three assists each. As a team, Covenant dished out 15 assists on 21 made field goals.
The Lady Scots shot just 34.4 percent (21-61) from the field, but nailed six 3-pointers and missed only two free-throws (12-14). Chittenden led Covenant at the foul line by hitting 7-for-8. Pensacola managed 30.4 percent (17-56) from the floor and were forced into 24 turnovers by the Covenant defense.
Pensacola was led by Ashley Antuna and her double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Antuna also added three assists and five steals. Taneka Sandiford tallied 12 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Esther Perry collected eight assists, while Jessica Highfield had four blocked shots for the Lady Eagles.
Covenant will play again in less than 24 hours when they host Great South Athletic Conference foe Wesleyan College on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at Barnes Physical Education Center.
