LAGRANGE, Ga. - Covenant opened conference play on the road at LaGrange, battling the Panthers in their CCS opener. Despite a competitive effort, the Scots were unable to keep pace and fell, 73-57.

LaGrange (6-5, 2-0 CCS) opened the game with a quick start, jumping out to a 9-3 lead. Covenant (1-9, 0-1 CCS) answered by scoring eight of the next ten points to even the score at 11. A Panthers layup in the final seconds of the quarter gave LaGrange a two-point edge at the end of the first.

LaGrange began the second quarter much like the first, using a 12-2 run to extend its advantage to 25-13. The Panthers maintained control heading into halftime, carrying a 34-22 lead into the break. Covenant generated over half of its first-half points at the free-throw line, converting 12 of 16 attempts (75%).

LaGrange continued to gradually extend its lead, going up 49-32 midway through the third quarter. Covenant responded with a six-point run, highlighted by back-to-back baskets from Jada Sanders, to cut the deficit to 11. The Panthers closed the quarter with the final four points, however, and took a 53-38 advantage into the fourth.

LaGrange pushed its advantage to a game-high 60-40 in the fourth quarter as it looked to put the game away. Covenant continued to battle, answering with an 8-0 run to trim the deficit to 12 and apply pressure. However, that was as close as the Scots would come, as the Panthers closed out a 73-57 victory.

Violet Wright led the Scots with 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Covenant also received solid contributions from Emma Kaye Fuller, who finished with 10 points, and Jada Sanders, who added nine.

LaGrange held the shooting advantage, finishing at 42 percent from the field compared to Covenant's 35 percent. The Panthers were also more efficient from beyond the arc, connecting at a 31 percent clip while Covenant shot 11 percent. The Scots won the rebounding battle, 44-40, but turnovers proved costly, as Covenant committed 33 while forcing 21 by LaGrange.

Covenant drops to 7-26 all time against LaGrange.

UP NEXT

Covenant will play on the road at Huntingdon on Saturday.

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