BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. -- Colton McGriff scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds, but the Covenant men's basketball team fell to NCAA Division I member Gardner-Webb 77-39 on Saturday night.

The game was counted as an exhibition for Covenant. The Scots open the regular season on Thursday, November 15 at Berry College.

Gardner-Webb (1-1), coming off a 76-59 loss at No. 11 North Carolina on Friday night, had four players in double figures led by Corey Hensley's 16 points. Max Landis had a dozen points, while Tashan Newsome and Kevin Hartley each scored 11.

Covenant fell behind 4-0 in the first minute of the game before Callum Sears drained a 3-pointer to put the Scots on the board. A Bryant Engbers 3-pointer at the 14:28 mark of the first half cut the Covenant deficit to 10-8, but Garnder-Webb would take control from there.

The Runnin' Bulldogs would end the half on a 27-6 scoring run to go into halftime up 37-14. In the second half, Gardner-Webb would continue to overwhelm the Scots and cruise to the victory.

Sears, Covenant's leading scorer the past three seasons, chipped in seven points, while Teron Ferguson recorded six points off the bench. Joey Danek led Covenant with six rebounds and two assists. Rosbie Mutcherson had four steals in the defeat.

Covenant will take on Berry on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Mount Berry, Ga. The Scots will then have their home opener on Friday, November 16 at 7 p.m. against Emory & Henry.