LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – In a maxed out Barnes Gymnasium on Wednesday night, the Covenant men's basketball team prevailed over the visiting Lions, 66-52.

The win brings the Scots' conference winning streak to four games and improves them to 8-2 against USA South opponents (13-6 overall).

Four players scored in double-figures, led by Brady Palmer who had 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Chris Barnette added 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Promise Igbanu and Will Crumly both contributed 11 points and five rebounds apiece.

Senior Jackson Fitzgerald also grabbed a career-high nine rebounds. 

The contest began with back-and-forth action between the teams, until a jumper from Barnette put the Scots up by seven at the 12:16 mark of the first half (15-8). A quick 7-2 run from Piedmont, though, would cut Covenant's lead to two with just under 10 minutes left in the period.

The Scots answered with three consecutive 3-pointers, making it 26-21 at the 7:06 mark. Over the course of the contest, Covenant knocked down 11 from behind-the-arc, shooting 44 percent from 3-point land (11-of-25).

Another jumper from Barnette would cap a 10-6 Covenant run, giving the Scots a nine point lead with 1:17 to play (36-27). Though, a 3-pointer from Joe Helenbrook with three seconds remaining in the half would make it a six-point game going into the break (36-30).

Covenant would turn up the heat in the second half, as they would lead by as much as 23 (9:59 mark). During the half, the Scots shot 52.4 percent from the floor (11-of-21) and 50 percent from downtown (5-of-10).

The Scots opened the period with a 9-4 run, capped by a jumper from Crumley that extended the lead to 11 at the 15:51 mark (45-34). Over the next five minutes, Covenant would outscore the Lions 13-4, quickly making it a 20-point game (58-38).

Palmer scored 11 of the 13 during the run. He would score all 13 of his points in the second period, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor and 3-for-3 from behind-the-arc. 

Igbanu would then give Covenant a 23-point lead with a 3-pointer of his own with just under 10 minutes to play (61-38). And from there, it was all Covenant as they ran away with the 66-52 victory.

Piedmont was led by Noah Reardon who had 12 points. Helenbrook added 10.

The Lions fall to 3-6 in conference play and 8-13 overall.

UP NEXT

Covenant will travel to Brevard on Saturday, February 12. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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