ROME, Ga. -- Jessie Blankenship tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Covenant women's basketball team to a season-opening victory over Berry 72-60 on Friday night in the first game of the Berry College Classic.

Covenant gets its first victory of the season and under head coach Sarah Harris in the process. Berry falls to 0-1.

Blankenship had 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Kiaira Cooper added 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals while freshman Katie Leverette debuted with 11 points and sesven rebounds.

Covenant took a 17-9 lead in the first half on the strength of a 10-0 scoring run that was capped by a Leverette layup. Berry would climb back into the contest with streaky 3-point shooting to grab a 31-30 lead going into halftime.

In the second half, Covenant went on an 8-0 spurt to begin the period to take a 38-31 lead, one they would not relinquish. The Scots slowly built their lead to double digits as they led by as many as 14 points late in the second half after a pair of Blankenship free throws.

Morgan Woodward had a team-high four assists to go along with eight points. Freshman Aleigha Williams also had a solid outing in her collegiate debut with nine points, five rebounds and three assists.

Berry was led by Chanlir Segarra's 18 points and five assists.

Covenant will be back in action tomorrow at noon against Millsaps to conclude the Berry College Classic.