Lady Scots Upend Agnes Scott

Thursday, February 14, 2013


 On a night when multiple celebrations and recognitions took place, the Covenant women's basketball team seemed to thrive on the additional energy.

Covenant got 22 points combined from Jessie Blankenship and Jessica Chittenden to upset GSAC leader Agnes Scott 56-45 on Senior Night inside Barnes Physical Education Center on Wednesday night.

Agnes Scott came in leading the GSAC, but now stands at 13-9 overall and 7-2 in conference play. The Lady Scots not only get the upset win, but also avenge a 62-37 road loss at Agnes Scott earlier this season.
Covenant improves to 11-10 and 4-6 in the GSAC.

Playing in their final home game, Chittenden and Ruth Gibson were honored after the game for their hard work and dedication to the women's basketball program. Chittenden scored 10 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and had three blocks on the night. Gibson added nine points, on three 3-pointers, and two assists.

But it wasn't just the seniors getting all the attention. Blankenship registered her 1,000th career point with a basket early in the first half. With her 12 point performance on Wednesday, she has 1,010 total points. She is the 20th player in Lady Scots history to achieve the 1,000-point plateau.

In the game, Covenant used an 8-0 run in the final 1:18 of the first half to gain a 24-21 lead at the break. Gibson drained two 3-pointers and Kiaira Cooper made a driving layup just before the halftime horn sounded.

In the second half, Haley Soles broke a 27-27 tie with a 3-pointer of her own to give the Lady Scots a 30-27 lead. Covenant would not trail the rest of the game, but the Lady Scots also did not lead by double digits until late in the period. Instead, every time Agnes Scott cut the Covenant lead to a single possession, the Lady Scots responded with a basket of their own.

Chittenden put the game away for Covenant with a layup at the 1:43 mark of the half that gave Covenant a 51-43 lead.

Agnes Scott was led by Arielle Register and Genefine Sapateh who each had 12 points. Sapateh added 10 rebounds before fouling out. Morgan Cooper grabbed 14 rebounds for the Scotties.

Covenant connected on 31.5 percent (17-54) from the floor, but made 16-of-24 free-throws and six 3-pointers. Agnes Scott was held to 29.1 percent (16-55) shooting.

The Lady Scots return to action on Saturday at Toccoa Falls at 2 p.m. Covenant defeated Toccoa Falls 78-40 in their previous meeting.

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