LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Alexis Storteboom registered her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 15 rebounds to lead Covenant past GSAC foe Wesleyan 64-48 in the conference opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, Covenant moves to 6-3 on the year, 1-0 in league play, and have already won as many games as last season's team did. Wesleyan drops to 1-6 overall and 0-1 in conference play on the year.
Storteboom came off the bench and was 6-of-9 from the field in scoring 15 points. She grabbed seven offensive rebounds and had two steals in her overall effort. Haley Soles scored 13 points and Jessie Blankenship had 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Ruth Gibson had a game-high five assists for Covenant and she also added seven points and eight rebounds.
The first half was tightly contested as the teams went back and forth. Covenant seized control of the contest with a 23-6 scoring run over the final 5:06 of the first half to gain a 47-27 edge at the break. Jess Fikkert, Storteboom, and Soles each had six points during the stretch.
Covenant struggled in the second half as Wesleyan climbed back into the game. The Pioneers cut the Lady Scots' lead down single digits at 53-44 after a Nevia Lewis free-throw with 7:15 remaining. Covenant would respond, however, and Welseyan would get no closer the rest of the way.
Lindsay Haggerty Grimsley led the Pioneers with 15 points to go along with five rebounds. Nicole Paysour added 12 points and six boards, while Lewis had nine points and two assists.
The Lady Scots connected on just 31.9 percent (23-72) from the field and 4-of-24 from behind the 3-point line. Wesleyan also struggled shooting as they made 26.5 percent (13-49) and 2-of-13 from 3-point land. The Lady Scots dominated the rebounding edge 54-35.
Covenant returns to action on January 10 at home against Berry at 6 p.m. The Lady Scots and Lady Vikings met earlier this year with Berry taking a 67-50 victory.