FEBRUARY 4­– Covenant Men's Basketball picked up a win over Belhaven this weekend following a tough loss against Piedmont the previous week.
 
(Game 1) While the first ten minutes of play remained close, the Lions began to pull away after a jump shot from Ryan Jolly set Piedmont up by 10. Though the Scots continued to battle back, the Lions would end the first half with a 17-point lead.
 
Returning for the second half, the Scots and the Lions went back-and-forth, Covenant keeping pace and matching Piedmont's scoring. However, it was not enough to cut the lead.
 
With under nine minutes remaining, the Lions began to pull away once again, extending their lead to 20. From that point on, the deficit would only increase for the Scots, resulting in an 80-54 loss.
 
Promise Igbanu led the team with 14 points, Malcolm Noel added 12 points, and Luke Crowden chipped in 11.
 
Following a week-long break, the Scots were ready to return to the action in hopes for a different result.
 
Taking on the Belhaven Blazers for the second time this season, the Scots were prepared for what they were about to face. 
 
The first half was close, both teams exchanging the lead back and forth. With less than eight minutes until half, Covenant had built up a seven-point lead. But the Blazers chipped away and came back, eventually ending the period six points ahead of the Scots.
 
For the first seven minutes of the second half, Belhaven maintained the lead. Covenant was right on the Blazers' trail, many times tying the score or coming within one point, but the Scots could just not get ahead.
 
It wasn't until a jumper by Promise Igbanu that Covenant would regain the lead. Igbanu's basket set the Scots on a 10-0 run, allowing the Scots to not only take back the lead, but set the pace of the game for the rest of regulation. 
 
The run proved to be too much for the Blazers, and Covenant was able to secure a 13-point lead with under nine minutes on the clock remaining. Despite their final attempts to cut down the lead, Belhaven could not recover, resulting in a 76-69 final score for the Scots.
 
Freshman Malcolm Noel racked up 22 points in the win, and senior Promise Igbanu recorded a double-double on the night with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Charlie Hester also had quite the night, adding in 12 points for the Scots.
 
UP NEXT
Covenant will be traveling to Maryville for a mid-week matchup. Women play at 5:00, Men will play at 7:00.
 
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.