LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Alexis Armstrong's jumper with 15 seconds left in the second half lifted William Peace past the Covenant women's basketball team 50-49 in USA South action on Saturday evening inside Barnes PE Center.
Haley Soles scored a career-high 25 points, with seven 3-pointers, but Covenant (1-14, 1-6 USA South) went just 10-of-27 from the foul line as its lead dwindled away in the second half. Soles finished 8-of-18 from the floor, including 7-of-17 from behind the 3-point line.
Covenant led for nearly 35 minutes of the contest. The Scots got out to a quick 7-2 lead in the first half after a Liz Dougherty jumper with 14:02 left in the period. Soles accounted for all 12 of Covenant's points, all coming via the 3, for a five minute stretch in the half. Covenant led 31-23 at the half as Soles tallied five triples.
In the second half, William Peace clamped down defensively and limited Covenant to 18 points. However, the Scots still held a lead for nearly the entire period. DeJah Cheathem's 3-pointer gave the visiting Pacers a 48-47 lead with just over a minute remaining. On the ensuing Covenant possession, Morgan Woodward calmly knocked down two free throws to give the Scots a 49-48 edge with 38 seconds left.
Armstrong's jumper from the right corner put the Pacers back up 50-49 with 15 seconds left. Covenant had one last chance, but a Soles 3-point attempt was off the mark as time expired.
Brittany Boykin led William Peace with 14 points. Cheathem and Krystal Williams had 11 and 10 points, respectively. Derrica Jones had a game-high 13 rebounds. The Pacers shot just 26 percent (19-of-73) for the game and 7-of-29 from downtown.
Woodward registered nine points and six assists for the Scots. Rachel Price was held scoreless but grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Clara Dirkse collected eight rebounds as Covenant outrebounded the Pacers 49-47.
Covenant will return to play on Wednesday against USA South opponent LaGrange. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Lookout Mountain.
Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.
