LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Joanna Smith scored a career-high 22 points and dished out five assists, but the Covenant women's basketball team could not overcome Ferrum in a 68-65 loss on Saturday inside Barnes PE Center.
The loss was the second three-point defeat for Covenant (7-12, 4-7 USA South) in as many nights. Ferrum improves to 10-11 overall and 8-4 in the USA South.
Smith tallied her 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Aleigha Williams added 15 points, while Clara Dirkse had three 3-pointers for nine total points. Kaley Hallmark chipped in seven points and two assists.
Covenant trailed for the majority of the contest, but kept within striking distance of the visiting Panthers. Ferrum had a 38-28 halftime lead as it shot 54.2 percent (13-of-24) in the opening two periods.
Ferrum led by as many as 16 in the third period, but Covenant rallied. Down 48-32, the Scots ended the third period on a 16-4 scoring run, capped by a 3-pointer from Hallmark in the final five seconds of the quarter, slicing the deficit to 52-48.
Covenant drew even with the Panthers after Williams drained a 3-pointer with 6:18 left in the fourth to tie the score at 56. Ferrum's Lindsay Martin answered with a 3-pointer of her own on the following possession. Covenant trailed 68-65 with 23 seconds left after a Smith layup and then forced a Ferrum turnover, but the Scots missed three 3-pointers on the ensuing possession that would have tied the game.
Ferrum was led by Kemani Crawford's 21 points and six rebounds. Krista Cox tallied 12 points, on four 3-pointers, while Zarkia Mattox accumulated 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Covenant shot 38.3 percent (23-of-60) from the field with a season-high 11 3-pointers. Ferrum connected on 51.1 percent (24-of-47) with nine treys.
UP NEXT
Covenant will travel to Piedmont on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.
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