WILMORE, Ky. -- Will Crumly had a game-high 24 points, but the Covenant men's basketball team could not erase a nine-point second half deficit in a 76-70 loss at Asbury on Wednesday afternoon.
The loss snaps a three-game win streak for Covenant (3-2). It was the Scots' first regular season game since Dec. 11.
Crumly scored 15 of his 24 points -- a season-high -- in the second half as the Scots attempted a comeback. The 24 points put Crumly over 1,400 for his career (1,404), becoming just the 10th player in program history to achieve that feat. The senior also collected nine rebounds and was 8-of-13 from the field.
Asbury made 15 3-pointers and used those to gain a nine-point lead midway through the second half. Covenant led 40-37 after a Daevon Platt 3-pointer with 14:07 left in the game, but Asbury rattled off a 14-2 spurt over the next two-plus minutes to take a 51-42 lead.
Asbury hit four 3-pointers during its key run and made 10 3-pointers in the second half.
Covenant answered back with a 12-3 run that was capped by a Chris Barnette 3-pointer to tie the game at 54-54 with 7:03 remaining. Consecutive 3-pointers from the host Eagles on the next two possessions gave the lead back to Asbury for good at 60-54.
The Scots got within three (73-70) with 36 seconds left after forcing Asbury into a shot clock violation. However, the Scots could not capitalize on the opportunity and Asbury made free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Barnette recorded his second career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 10 rebounds to go along with five assists. Luke Touliatos also had 11 points, while Platt added 10 points off the bench.
Covenant connected on 41 percent (23-of-56) for the game but hit only five 3-pointers. The Scots finished 19-of-22 from the foul line, including Crumly's 7-for-8 effort at the stripe.
The Scots led 26-24 at the half after finishing the period on a 5-0 run in the final minute. The lead expanded to six on two occasions early in the second half, the latest one coming after a Touliatos 3-pointer with 16:47 left made it 35-29.
Asbury (5-2) was led by Eric Powell's 21 points and six 3-pointers. Siah Holifield made three 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, while Nick Fort had 13. The Eagles made 45.6 percent (26-of-57) for the game and 51.7 percent (15-of-29) from deep.
UP NEXT
Covenant and Asbury will square off again on Thursday in Wilmore, Ky. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
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