Despite 27 points from junior Jessie Blankenship, the Covenant women's basketball team could not hold on to a 16-point first half lead as the Lady Scots were defeated 67-64 by Spelman on Wednesday night in Atlanta.
It is the second time in less than two weeks that Covenant has lost a three-point game to the Jaguars. Spelman defeated Covenant 63-60 in overtime on Jan. 26.
Blankenship was 13-of-20 from the field and added seven rebounds, four steals, and a pair of blocks in addition to her 27 points. Kiaira Cooper chipped in nine points, while Ruth Gibson grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds for Covenant (10-9, 3-5 GSAC).
Covenant started out hot as they quickly gained a 14-5 lead after a Haley Soles jumper with 16:09 left in the first half. The Lady Scots continued to shoot the ball well as they extended their lead to 29-13 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the half on a Gibson jumper.
But in the final 10 minutes of the opening period, Covenant managed just five points and Spelman climbed back into the game. Still, the Lady Scots led 34-30 going into halftime.
In the second half, Covenant kept its lead until a Tiana Welch jumper with 10:48 left gave the host Jaguars a 49-47 advantage. Covenant would tie the score at 53 apiece after Liz Dougherty made one of two free-throws, but Spelman regained the edge on its next possession and would hold on the rest of the way.
Andrea Kinzer led Spelman (6-15, 4-4 GSAC) with 22 points off the bench. Welch added 13 points and Christiauna Draper had nine. Jasmine Taylor pulled down 10 rebounds.
Covenant returns to action on Saturday at Huntingdon in Montgomery, Ala. Game time is 2 p.m. EST. Huntingdon defeated the Lady Scots 75-58 on Jan. 19.