JANUARY 21– The Covenant men's basketball team found success this past weekend after falling in their mid-week game against the LaGrange Panthers. After dropping their first game last week 74-61, the Scots came together to defeat two conference opponents on Friday and Saturday home contests.
 
Against the Panthers, the Scots played a close game up until the last five minutes of the second half, where LaGrange went on a scoring run that Covenant could not combat.
 
Finishing the first half just two points behind LaGrange, it looked to be anyone's game. Heading into the second period just a basket away from tying the score, Covenant battled to get a defensive stop and take the lead. With 13:38 remaining in regulation, it was a Malcolm Noel basket that gave the Scots the advantage.
 
Covenant held a six-point lead with just over ten minutes to play. But LaGrange would fight their way back into taking the lead, this time for good. The game remained tight until a Panther three by Bershard Edwards would tip the scales in LaGrange's direction with under five minutes to go.
 
By the end of those five final minutes, the Panthers extended their lead to 13 points, the largest lead they held all game. 
 
Freshman Malcolm Noel and Senior Promise Igbanu shared the scoring team-high, with 16 points a-piece. Logan Pearlman added 10 points as well.
 
Unhappy with the loss, the Scots returned to Lookout Mountain looking for a win at home.
 
The Scots pulled through, establishing the lead early in the Friday matchup against the Huntingdon Hawks. Throughout the contest, there were no ties and no lead changes as Covenant controlled the pace of the game from the beginning.
 
Extending their lead to 13 at one point in the first half, Covenant looked to be in a good position. The Hawks would scratch and claw their way back into the game, however, and were able to cut the lead to just four points by halftime. 
 
The Scots came out into the second period ready to shut down the Hawks late first-half momentum. Covenant did just that and with under five minutes left in the game, Covenant held a 69-44 lead. 
 
Promise Igbanu scored 21 points in the 77-58 victory over the Hawks, the game-high. Jonathan Gernatt and Malcolm Noel were close to follow with 14 points and 13 points, respectively.
 
The following day, the Scots continued their hot streak and defeated the Belhaven Blazers 65-58. 
 
Again, Covenant did not allow their opponent to take the lead at any point within the contest, establishing their presence on the court from tip off. 
 
Johnathan Gernatt was the lead scorer and lead rebounder for the Scots with 19 points and eight rebounds. Three other Scots recorded double digits on the day: Promise Igabnu with 13, Malcolm Noel with 12, and Logan Pearlman recording 10 points.
 
Promise Igbanu was a key factor for Covenant all week long as he averaged 16.7 points per game.
 
Malcolm Noel also played a big role as he averaged 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, earning him CCS Rookie of the Week honors. This is Noel's third time this season to have earned this award.
 
UP NEXT
Covenant Men's Basketball will be on the road Wednesday, January 25 as they travel to Berea, Kentucky to face off for the second time this season. The men will play at 7:00 PM following the women's game prior.
 
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.