FEBRUARY 15– Returning to play on their home court, the Covenant men's basketball team hosted the LaGrange Panthers in hopes for a conference upset. The Panthers were ranked second in the CCS heading into the contest.
 
Before the game could begin, senior forward Promise Igbanu was honored by the Men's Basketball program in celebration of Senior Night. Averaging over 20 points and seven rebounds per game so far this season, Igbanu has been a clear leader for the Scots on both sides of the ball. 
 
Igbanu would lead the game in scoring with 30 points while also recording 11 rebounds, four steals, and four assists on the night. Malcolm Noel would also finish in double-digits, ending the night with 12 points, shooting 50% from the field.
 
The first half of the contest proved to be a battle– each team displaying tenacious defense and hustle from tip-off. But the Scots were able to pull ahead. After a late Igbanu three-pointer, the Scots would enter halftime with a two-point advantage, up 34-32.
 
However, after returning halftime, the Scots quickly found themselves in trouble. As LaGrange regained the lead within the opening minutes of the second half, Covenant was forced to try and come from behind for the remainder of the half. 
 
Foul trouble proved to be the biggest obstacle for Covenant's momentum. Racking up 10 personal fouls in just the second half, including technical fouls on both Promise Igbanu and Logan Pearlman, the Scots were forced to play a less-physical type of defense or risk sending LaGrange to the free throw line. 
 
Somehow Covenant was able to claw their way back into the game, shaving a 16-point lead down to only six with one minute remaining. Down to their final 60 seconds of regulation, the Scots were looking for any way to score quickly and get the ball back. Back-to-back baskets from Promise Igbanu, with the help of a perfectly timed steal from Jonathan Gernatt, cut the lead to one point with 30 seconds left to play. 
 
With seven seconds on the clock, freshman guard Malcolm Noel would drain a clutch three-point basket, giving the Scots the lead and ultimately securing Covenant the win. 
 
An outstanding game finished off with such thrilling late-game theatrics was truly the perfect way for the Scots to close out their final regular-season home game and served as a brilliant send-off for senior Promise Igbanu. 
 
UP NEXT
On Saturday, Covenant will travel to Huntingdon for their final regular-season game of the year. The contest will be a 5:00 PM matchup in Montgomery, Alabama, as the Scots hope to make the most of their final chance to boost their conference standing before the commencement of tournament play. 

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.