Smith Scores 30 In Covenant Women Victory over Agnes Scott

On Senior Night, it was junior Joanna Smith scoring a career-high 30 points to lead the Covenant women's basketball team to an 81-65 victory over Agnes Scott on Friday night inside Barnes PE Center.

Before the game, seniors Emma Grimes, Clara Dirkse Wolfe and Jessica Bell were honored for their contributions and dedication to the program.

Wolfe and Bell have played in all 94 games Covenant has played since the start of their freshman year, while Grimes has been a prolific 3-point shooter in her two years in the program.

Even though it was a night to celebrate the seniors, Smith took over offensively for Covenant (8-11, 4-6 USA South). The junior went 12-of-17 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the line to account for her career-high 30 points. After not having a player score 30 points in a game in over seven years, Covenant has now produced back-to-back games of 30-point scorers as Smith's effort joins Grimes' 32 points in Tuesday's win over LaGrange.

Covenant got off to a sluggish start in the first period as Agnes Scott (2-17, 1-7 USA South) made three of its first four shots from the field and led 11-9 with under five to go. The Scots answered with a flurry of baskets over the final minutes, including a pair of Taylor Robinson 3-pointers, to grab a 21-16 lead heading into the second. 

Agnes Scott gained a 28-23 lead in the second, but again Covenant responded. The Scots went on a 12-0 run, capped by a Smith 3-pointer, to take a 35-28 lead and led by five at the break.

In the third, Covenant shot 68.8 percent (11-of-16) from the floor while Smith and Robinson combined for 17 points as the Scots surged ahead 62-48. The lead remained in double digits the rest of the way and Covenant took its largest lead of the night, 67-48, in the fourth.

Robinson also tallied a career-high as she poured in 19 points on a 7-of-11 shooting performance, including a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the 3-point line. Bell added 10 points and a game-high five assists. Kaley Hallmark added nine points and five rebounds, while Bekah Walter had eight points. 

Covenant shot a season-best 49.2 percent (29-of-59) from the floor with seven 3-pointers and a 16-of-20 effort at the line. It marked the second straight contest that Covenant shot at least 49 percent from the field. The Scots also turned 20 Agnes Scott turnovers into 21 points and had a 9-0 edge in fastbreak points.

Agnes Scott was led by Garis Grant's 23 points and seven rebounds. Anna Weimerskirch had 14 points and Natasha Banks added 11 points. Jane Lado just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. The visiting Scotties made 41.5 percent (22-of-53) on the night and 16-of-18 at the free throw line.

Covenant's final regular season home game is set for Tuesday, Jan. 30, against Wesleyan. The USA South matchup is set for 7 p.m.