HAMBURG, N.Y. - The Scots started their 2025-26 campaign on Friday night, playing St. John Fisher in the Hawks vs Hunger Tip-Off in Upstate New York. Two standout performances from Covenant's returning All-CCS players were not enough for Covenant to get an opening night victory as the Cardinals held on to earn an 87-83 win. 

Final: Covenant 83, St. John Fisher 87
Records: Covenant (0-1), St. John Fisher (1-0)

The Scots put themselves in an early hole as the Cardinals moved ahead 11-3. As the half continued, St. John Fisher extended its lead to 24-12, which would be its biggest lead of the opening 20 minutes. 

A pair of triples from Logan Patterson and Noah Pence cut the Cardinals' lead to 28-22 as the Scots tried to mount a comeback before halftime. Covenant would eventually get as close as five points, but a 5-0 run by the Cardinals in the final 50 seconds put them up 42-30 at the break. 

The start of the second half was different than the first half, with both teams finding some offensive rhythm. Covenant rode a 10-0 scoring run, started off by a tip-in from Thomas Malcolm, to get back within two points. 

With 7:16 remaining, the Cardinals had extended their lead back to eight points after scoring on consecutive possessions. Just a few minutes later, the St. John Fisher lead had reached 12 points again.

Covenant came storming back, using a 13-1 run, capped off by a layup from Patterson to tie the game at 79. Luuk Dusek put the Scots ahead 81-80 with 1:47 left in the game. That was the last shot Covenant made, as it missed its final four attempts from the field. A couple of made jumpers from the Cardinals, mixed in with some free throws, secured them the win 87-83.

Patterson was Covenant's leading scorer with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Pierce Smith started his junior year off with a double-double, posting 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. He also had five blocks. 

It was a cold shooting night for the Scots as they shot 37.8% (28-74) from the field, 17.1% from behind the 3-point line, and 53.8% (21-39) shooting free throws. The Cardinals also struggled offensively in the same categories, shooting 38.7% (29-75) from the field, 25% (4-16) from three, and 54.3% (25-46) from the free-throw line. 

On the glass, St. John Fisher outrebounded Covenant 63-52. The Scots had 24 turnovers while the Cardinals had 24. 

This was the first meeting between the two schools as Covenant moves to 0-1 all-time against St. John Fisher.

UP NEXT: Covenant takes on tournament host, Hilbert College, at 1 p.m. in the Hawks vs Hunger Tip-Off Consolation Game. 

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