SEWANEE, Tenn. - Covenant took on Sewanee in its second game in the Lon Varnell Classic. The Scots were able to take down the Tigers in a shootout as they picked up their first win against Sewanee since 2023 and their first win of the season.

Final: Covenant 110, Sewanee 109
Records: Covenant (1-3), Sewanee (0-3)

Sewanee controlled the early goings as they jumped out to a 25-11 lead eight minutes into the game. Back-to-back threes from Isaac Rorey and Ethan Parker got the Scots going as they cut into the deficit. Covenant played from behind for the remainder of the half, cutting the deficit to as little as five before ultimately heading into the break trailing 52-43.

The Scots started to find their way back into the game as an early 9-0 run in the second half cut the Tigers lead to 63-62. After falling behind 75-68, Covenant went on another run, this time coming all the way back to tie the game at 76, capped by a Pierce Smith and-one. 

Rorey gave Covenant its first lead since the opening moments of the game as his three-ball gave it an 80-79 lead. Sewanee responded with a run of their own to take a 92-87 lead with six minutes left in the game.

With four minutes remaining, Logan Patterson converted a pair of free throws to give Covenant a 98-96 advantage, a lead they would not surrender. Sewanee continued to battle, cutting the deficit to three with a jumper at the 45-second mark to make it 107-104. A crucial free throw from Korbin Long with 21 seconds left extended the margin to two possessions, and despite a last-second three from the Tigers, Covenant held on for a 110-109 victory.

Covenant was led by Smith who had a monster game with 16 points, 18 rebounds, six blocks, and two steals. Four other Scots finished in double figures as Patterson (19), Noah Pence (15), Long (13), and Rorey (11) all had a significant impact on the win.

The Scots held a 59-52 advantage on the boards, a critical factor in the outcome, and their first game this season in which they outrebounded their opponent. Although Sewanee posted the stronger shooting percentage, 48% to Covenant's 40%, the Scots offset that disadvantage by attempting 22 more shots (99-77). That margin was largely created by Covenant's ball security, as they committed just 12 turnovers while forcing Sewanee into 20.

Covenant moves to 14-25 all-time against Sewanee.

UP NEXT: Covenant travels to Berry on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. 

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