JANUARY 25– The Covenant Men's Basketball Team continued their win-streak last night on the road against Berea. After two conference wins at home, the Scots topped the Mountaineers 87-78 in overtime.
 
Throughout the entire contest, the score tied six times while the lead changed five. In the back-and-forth affair, Covenant had four players reach double-digit scoring.
 
In the previous matchup between the two teams hosted in Barnes Gymnasium, Covenant fell late in the second half after leading the majority of the game.
 
Last night was a different story.

The Mountaineers controlled the pace of the game for the first 20 minutes of regulation. Although the Scots would go on runs, Berea would be right there to reclaim the lead. As time ran out in the first half, the Mountaineers were ahead 35-30. 
 
Returning from halftime, it was a series of traded baskets between the Mountaineers and the Scots. Trailing by just a few points, it was not until the final 10 minutes that the Scots were able to tip the scales and take control of the lead.
 
The game stayed close, but Covenant kept scoring. With only two and half minutes of regulation left, the Scots held a six-point advantage. 
 
The Mountaineers relentlessly kept chipping away at that lead and in the final few seconds, a Berea steal would leave the game's fate in the outcome of two free-throws. 
 
Covenant was looking at a loss if both free throws were good. The first one sunk in and the score became tied once again at 72-72.
 
The pressure proved to be too much as the second free throw was a miss, and the Scots were headed into overtime for redemption.
 
It was no secret that the Scots were hungry for another win. Covenant immediately returned to the court and stole all the momentum from the Mountaineers. Promise Igbanu's three got the Scots rolling, and from that point on the game was Covenant's.
 
Berea could not stop the Scots. Covenant proceeded to go on an 8-0 run, eventually climbing up to an 11-point lead.
 
The game ended in an 87-78 overtime victory on the road. In the endeavor, Promise Igbanu was the Scots' top scorer yet again earning 28 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and two blocks in the win.
 
Jonathan Gernatt was close to follow, recording 20 points in Berea's defeat. Additionally, Logan Pearlman recorded a career-high 16 points. Luke Crowden also chipped in 11 points of his own.
 
Malcolm Noel played a large part in the victory through his performance on the boards, grabbing the team-high of 10 rebounds, all but one of which were defensive. Noel's defensive effort helped the team to limit the Mountaineers to just nine second-chance points.
 
UP NEXT
The Scots return home for the weekend in order to face the Piedmont Lions on Saturday, January 28 at 4:00 PM. Women's Basketball will be celebrating their senior day in the game beforehand at 1:50 PM.
 
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.