LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Jessie Blankenship posted a season-high 23 points and 16 rebounds, but the Covenant women's basketball team suffered a 72-63 loss at the hands of Methodist on Friday night inside Barnes Physical Education Center.
The USA South loss drops Covenant to 1-2 in league play and 4-7 overall. Methodist extends its winning streak to seven games as they move to 7-1 on the year and 3-0 in the USA South.
Covenant trailed for the majority of the contest before staging a comeback late in the second half. Down 59-52, the Scots scored eight unanswered points that was spearheaded by four points from Blankenship. Alexis Storteboom connected on a jumper with 3:20 left to give Covenant a 60-59 lead.
Methodist would have the final answer, however, as they score eight straight to takea 67-60 edge with 1:32 remaining.
Blankenship recorded her third consecutive double-double with her best performance of the year, thus far. The senior was 6-of-13 from the field but an impressive 11-of-15 from the free throw line in 38 minutes of action. Of her 16 rebounds, seven came on the offensive glass.
Aleigha Williams added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Storteboom tallied 10 points and six boards. Kiaira Cooper led all players with six assists. Covenant shot 36.4 percent (24-of-66) from the field and 15-of-22 from the charity stripe.
Jackie Lyles led Methodist with her double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. Ayanna Pegues and Maya Banks also scored in double figures with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Chandler Christensen came off the bench to score 12 points in the win. Methodist connected on 46.4 percent (26-of-56) from the floor and 20-of-35 from the free throw line.
Neither team made a 3-pointer as they combined to go 0-for-12 from downtown.
Covenant came out of the gates hot as they took an 8-2 lead less than three minutes into the contest. Williams scored the first four points followed by two free throws from Blankenship and a layup from Morgan Woodward. Methodist would come back and take a 32-30 lead at the break.
Covenant will play its second straight USA South contest on Saturday when they host Greensboro. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
