Playing in its closest game of the season to date, the Covenant women's basketball team fell just short in the final minute as host Sewanee pulled out a 52-48 on Tuesday night at Juhan Gymnasium.
Covenant drops below .500 for the first time this season at 3-4. The four-point game was the smallest margin the Scots have played in this year after the first six games of the season were decided by at least 12 points. Sewanee improves to 5-4.
Three Covenant players scored in double figures led by Aleigha Williams' 12 points. Williams also added seven rebounds. Alexis Storteboom nearly recorded a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Morgan Woodward added 10 points and a game-high seven assists. Kiaira Cooper chipped in five points to go along with eight rebounds and four steals.
The Scots trailed for the majority of the first half, but never by more than six points. Sewanee held a 29-23 lead late in the period before Storteboom knocked down a pair of free throws followed by a Williams steal and layup to cut the Tigers' lead to 29-27 at the break.
Both teams had significant scoring runs in the second half. Katie Leverette capped an 8-2 scoring run for the Scots giving the visitors a 37-34 lead with a jumper at the 14:22 mark of the second half.
Sewanee would rally with a 10-0 run over the next four minutes to seize a 44-37 advantage. Williams was able to stop the Tigers streak with a 3-pointer that sparked a 9-0 Covenant run giving the Scots a 46-44 edge with 4:06 remaining. Sewanee would score the next five to take a 49-46 lead before Woodward knocked down a jumper to slice the Scots' deficit to one with a minute left.
Covenant had a couple chances down the stretch but could not convert as Sewanee played tight on defense. Sewanee's Kayla Sewell made two free throws in the waning seconds to put the game away for the Tigers.
Clarissa Medley came off the bench to lead Sewanee with 11 points. Jamie Chauvin tallied 10 points, while Sewell grabbed eight rebounds.
Both teams struggled shooting as Covenant connected on 32.1 percent (18-of-56) and Sewanee on 36 percent (18-of-50). Both teams also collected 36 rebounds. The Scots dished out 13 assists on those 18 made field goals.
Covenant will play its final game of the fall semester on Saturday when they host Berry. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. and will be followed by the men's game at 4 p.m.