GREENVILLE, S.C. – Late free throws from Megan Rouse helped seal a 71-70 victory for the Covenant women's basketball team over Bob Jones on Saturday evening.
The Scots led the Bruins by as much as 20 points during the first half. But a second half surge from Bob Jones threatened to take a last-second victory. Covenant was able to hold on, though, thanks to the late free throws from Rouse.
The Scots had three players in double figures. Cosette Kirsch led all scorers with six 3-pointers and 20 points, 17 of which came in the first half. Ruthie Moore continued her stellar play with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Karis McIntosh added 13 points, four assists, and two steals.
Rouse would finish with eight points and five rebounds.
Covenant came out strong in the first half against the Bruins, putting up 39 points. The visiting Scots knocked down eight from behind-the-arc during the first two quarters, five of which came from the hands of Kirsch. A 3-pointer from Kirsch at the seven minute mark of the second quarter gave Covenant their largest lead of the night (29-20).
Bob Jones would string together a 12-5 run to end the second, though, cutting the Scots' lead to 12 at the half (39-27).
The host Bruins would then flip the script in the second half, knocking down six 3-pointers of their own. They would outscore Covenant 15-5 to open the third quarter, coming within two points at the 6:53 mark (44-42).
The Scots would then rally with an 11-5 run of their own to end the period and extend their lead back out to eight heading into the fourth quarter (55-47).
A 3-pointer from McIntosh opened the fourth period for Covenant, making it 58-47. Back-in-forth action between the teams ensued, until another Kirsch make from downtown extended the Scots' lead to 13 with just under five and a half minutes to play (65-52).
Bob Jones was not to go quietly, however, as they would record a 15-2 scoring run to tie the score at 67 with 1:34 left on the clock.
A layup from Moore at the 1:01 mark made it 69-67 in favor of the Scots. But, a free throw and a layup from Gracen Ledford quickly gave the Bruins a one point lead with 20 seconds left in regulation (70-69).
With four seconds left, Rouse was able to draw a shooting foul in the paint, giving the Scots a chance to gain back the lead. And Rouse was able to knock down both free throws, putting Covenant back up, 71-70.
A defensive stop from the Scots followed, allowing Covenant to hold on for the close victory.
Delaney Edwards led Bob Jones with 18 points and six steals. Tamrah Konieczka added 16 points, while Ledford finished with 11 points and nine assists.
Covenant improves to 8-10, while the Bruins fall to 8-11.
UP NEXT
Covenant will travel to Agnes Scott on Wednesday, February 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 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.
