LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Berto Dryden poured in a career-high 28 points, but visiting Maryville was able to hold off every Covenant men's basketball rally in the second half to come away with an 83-75 victory on Tuesday night at Barnes PE Center.

The loss is just the second of the year at home for Covenant (7-6, 1-2 USA South). Maryville (11-1, 2-0 USA South) has won seven straight contests overall.

Dryden went 9-of-18 from the floor and 8-for-9 from the foul line for his 28 points. It is the second straight game that Dryden has topped a career-high in points after he dropped 23 against LaGrange last Friday. The junior also dished out four assists and had four rebounds.

Patjo Twagirayezu added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Bailey Spragg and Caleb Haynes had 10 points apiece. Haynes just missed a double-double with eight rebounds.

Covenant trailed for over 38 minutes of the contest, but had the game within reach down the stretch. The Scots trailed by as much as 13 in the second half, but found themselves trailing 67-63 with 4:31 remaining after Connor Sears made two free throws. Maryville brought its lead back to eight with under three minutes left, but a Twagirayezu layup and a Haynes offensive rebound and putback dunk made it a 71-67 game with 2:21 left.

But Maryville had an answer once again as Kaleb Estes sank two free throws with 2:10 left and Calvin Songster scored two of his team-best 17 points on a jumper with 1:40 remaining to give the visiting Scots a 75-67 lead. Covenant would get it within five in the final minute, but Maryville made free throws down the stretch to ice the win.

Covenant shot 45.6 percent (26-of-57) for the game and was 19-fo-24 at the foul line. Both teams had 33 rebounds, but Covenant had a 10-8 edge in offensive boards which led to 13 points.

Songster led Maryville with 17 points as all five starters scored in double figures. Dante Hoppa had 16 points and seven rebounds, while Tyler Spicer and Estes had 11 apiece. Colt Nokes scored 10 points with seven rebounds before fouling out. Maryville connected on 48.3 percent (28-of-58) and 20-of-26 at the free throw line.

UP NEXT

Covenant will travel to Fayetteville, N.C., on Friday to play Methodist in a USA South game. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

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