BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- After battling to stay within striking distance through three quarters, the Covenant women's basketball team could not complete the comeback in a 77-55 loss to UT Dallas on Friday evening at the Richard Dardenne Memorial Classic in Birmingham.
Playing its third game in as many days in the Classic, Covenant (0-3) hung right with UT Dallas (4-0) until the Comets used a big fourth quarter to pull away for the win.
Megan Rouse led three Covenant players in double-figure scoring with a season-best 12 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. Through her first three college games, Rouse is averaging 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Destiny Mergilles and Cosette Kirsch had 11 points apiece, while Karis McIntosh drained three 3-pointers for her nine points on the night. Ruthie Moore added six points and five rebounds.
Facing a UT Dallas team that made the NCAA Tournament last season, the Scots were unfazed. Covenant used a 6-0 run in the first quarter to trim an eight-point deficit to two (12-10) after a Mergilles bucket with 2:21 left. Cosette Kirsch hit a 3-pointer early in the second period to get Covenant within 14-13.
Every time UT Dallas tried to pull away, the Scots answered back. Down 15 (29-14) later in the second quarter, Covenant finished the half on an 11-3 run to make it 32-25 at the break. McIntosh hit two 3-pointers during the stretch, while Kirsch added a triple and Anna Rose Epting converted a layup.
Rouse scored six of her 12 points in the third quarter as the Scots hung around. Rouse had six straight points for Covenant to get the Scots within 47-39 and a Naomi Crumley driving layup with 1:07 left in the period made it 47-41.
UT Dallas scored the final four points of the third to ignite a 9-1 run that gave the Comets a 56-42 lead with 7:39 left in the game. Covenant would not get any closer.
The Scots shot 42.9 percent (21-of-49) for the game and 9-of-13 from the foul line. Covenant held its own on the boards as both teams collected 35 rebounds.
UT Dallas was led by Sydney Brock and Kaitlyn Judge with 13 points each off the bench. The Comets were held to 39.7 percent (25-of-63) from the floor, but made up for that with nine 3-pointers.
UP NEXT
Covenant will break for Christmas. The Scots are tentatively set to play Asbury on Dec. 30 in Wilmore, Ky. For up-to-date schedule information, visit athletics.covenant.edu
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