Led by 23 points from junior Jessie Blankenship, the Covenant women's basketball team concluded its regular season schedule with a 76-61 defeat of Warren Wilson on Saturday afternoon in Asheville.
The victory gives the Lady Scots a 13-10 record as they head into the NCCAA Mid-East Region tournament which begins March 7 in Bluefield, Va. Warren Wilson drops to 14-9 on the season.
Blankenship was 9-of-12 from the field and 5-of-6 from the foul line for her 23 points. She also added seven rebounds and two assists.
Freshman Haley Soles tallied 19 points on the strength of five 3-pointers. Senior Ruth Gibson, playing in her hometown, contributed 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals on the afternoon.
As a team, Covenant connected on 50 percent (28-56) of its shots and dished out 18 assists, led by five from junior Kiaira Cooper. The Lady Scots also made nine 3-pointers and 11-of-17 free-throws and held a 40-28 rebounding edge.
Covenant led by 20 at halftime (42-22) after shooting over 55 percent in the half and receiving 13 points apiece from Blankenship and Soles.
In the second half, Covenant would see its lead grow to as many as 31 points as the Lady Scots cruised to the win.
Dani Henderson led Warren Wilson with 21 points. Suzie Ashford added 12 points, while Lilvia Bradbury chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds.
Covenant will wait and see who its first opponent will be in the NCCAA Mid-East Region tournament.