LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – The Covenant women's basketball team suffered its first conference loss of the season as the visiting Mountaineers topped the Scots, 61-33.

Berea currently sits atop the USA South West with an overall record of 11-3 and an undefeated 6-0 conference record.

Covenant came out strong against Berea for the beginning of the contest, ending the first quarter with a 10-6 lead. Karis McIntosh had five of the Scots' 10 points off of a 3-pointer and a layup. Cosette Kirsch also knocked one down from downtown during the period.

From there, though, it would be all Berea as the Scots would struggle to score. The visiting Mountaineers outscored Covenant 14-4 during the second quarter, as sophomore guard Aaliyah Hampton would score 11 of Berea's 14 points during the run.

Berea would then go on to outscore Covenant 41-19 over the course of the second half. The Mountaineers shot 53.9 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from behind-the-arc over the third and fourth quarters, as they would begin to pack on the points and extend their lead to give them the 61-33 victory.

Covenant was led by Kirsch who had eight points. McIntosh had five points, while Ruthie Moore and Megan Rouse both added four.

Hampton finished with 17 points for Berea. Destiny Combs added 15 points, and Jayden Merriweather had 13. 

The Scots fall to 3-1 in USA South play (6-4 overall).

UP NEXT

Covenant will face Wesleyan at home on Saturday, January 15. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.