CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Bailey Spragg scored 13 points, but the Covenant men's basketball team fell to NCAA Division I member Chattanooga 76-43 on Friday night at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga.

The contest was an exhibition for both teams. Covenant will officially open the season on Nov. 15 against Emory. Chattanooga, the reigning Southern Conference champion and preseason pick to win the league again, opens the year on Nov. 11 at Tennessee.

Spragg led the Scots with his 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting to go along with three rebounds and three assists. Patjo Twagirayezu had eight points and a team-high six rebounds. Berto Dryden dished out five assists. Covenant connected on just 32.7 percent (16-of-49) from the field.

Chattanooga led throughout the contest, but Covenant kept it close through the early minutes. A Spragg layup at the 16:13 mark cut the Mocs' lead to 9-6, but the hosts would extend that margin to 34-11 over the next 11 minutes of play. Chattanooga led 38-16 at the half.

Covenant would play closer in the final 20 minutes as the Scots upped their shooting percentage in the half and connected on three 3-pointers.

Tre' McLean led Chattanooga with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Casey Jones had 12 points and seven rebounds. The Mocs shot 51.7 percent (30-of-58) from the field, but were held to 27.8 percent from behind the 3-point line.

UP NEXT

Covenant opens the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at home against No. 15-ranked Emory. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

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