FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022– Covenant Men's Basketball team finally returns to Barnes P.E. Center to play their home opener, where they were met by the visiting Pfeiffer Falcons. The Scots entered the contest with a record of 1-3, beginning the season with a tough stretch of road games. The matchup also served as the home crowd's first opportunity to see new Head Coach Josh Brown's team live in action.  
 
The Scots ended their home opener with a final score of 86-83, earning the win over Pfeiffer in the fifth all-time matchup between the programs. Leading Covenant in scoring was senior forward Promise Igbanu with 26 points and freshman guard Malcolm Noel who ended with 23 points to his credit. 
 
Though the tip-off was won by the Falcons, Covenant was able to swing the momentum their way almost immediately. Senior forward Logan Pearlman set the tone for the Scots early as he made a three-point basket, earned a steal, and drew an offensive foul all within the first four minutes of play. Pearlman ended the game with 10 points and two rebounds, while also drawing a pair of charges on the night. 
 
By the ten-minute mark of the first half, Covenant held a 21-11 lead. While Noel was responsible for seven first half points, the Scots were not afraid to share the rock as seven different players scored in the opening half. 
 
Due to strong efforts on the boards and three first-half rebounds a-piece from Eli Witt and Jonathan Gernatt, the Scots entered the half out-rebounding the Falcons by a margin of 17-14. Continuing their initial success, Covenant controlled the momentum entering halftime with a 36-33 lead. 
 
Coming out of the locker room at halftime, the Scots kept their same fire on offense by hitting five of their first seven field goal attempts, as well knocking down a free throw. Igbanu led the offensive run picking nine points and three rebounds in the opening four minutes of the second half. 
 
However, the Falcons were able to quickly battle their way back into the contest, erasing the lead and tying the game at 49-49 only two minutes later. The remainder of the second half became an all-out fight, as both squads competed to grab momentum. Covenant emerged as a clear leader entering the final ten minutes of play with a 17-4 run for the Scots, including a technical foul called against Pfeiffer's coaching staff. 
 
As Covenant led by a score of 66-56 with seven minutes remaining in the game, both teams seemed to settle from the high-emotion sequence beforehand and return to their initial game plans. Due to both teams reaching the double bonus, it became a competition at the free throw line, with each team having attempted 15 foul shots a-piece in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
 
Entering the final three minutes of play, Covenant held a 78-70 lead following another three-point basket from Logan Pearlman. The Scots took advantage of foul trouble for Pfeiffer and continually pressed the offense to get to the foul line. However, the Falcons continued to scratch and claw their way back into the game, shaving the Scots lead to two points with only a minute remaining. 
 
However, an outstanding display of effort and leadership from freshman guard Malcolm Noel, including pristine ball movement and an offensive rebound, anchored the Scots down the stretch and proved to be the spark they needed to close out the game.
 
By a final score of 86-83, Covenant picked up their first home win and second overall victory for the 2022-2023 season, bringing their record to 2-3 on the year. 
 
The Scots will play again tomorrow, November 19, as they take on the Mocs of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in a 2:00 PM matchup at McKenzie Arena. 

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.