Jessie Blankenship registered her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds, but the Covenant women's basketball team fell at home 78-44 to Ferrum in the USA South opener for both teams.
With the loss, Covenant drops to 3-6 overall and 0-1 in league play. Ferrum remains undefeated at 5-0 with a 1-0 mark in the USA South.
Blankenship was 7-of-16 from the field in tallying 15 points and had seven offensive rebounds in the loss. Kiaira Cooper also grabbed 10 boards and chipped in six points and four assists. Alexis Storteboom checked in with six points and seven rebounds.
Cold shooting was again an issue for the women as they connected on just 25 percent (19-of-76) from the field and 1-of-18 from behind the 3-point line. Ferrum was an efficient 55 percent (33-of-60) shooting and dished out 24 assists on 33 made field goals.
The Panthers, who have reached the NCAA tournament the last two years, were led by Jacole Hairston's 14 points. Katy Kipps added 12 points while Lindsay Martin had 11. Leading scorer Shea Smith was limited to just four points, but she had a game-high seven assists. Kylene Culler led Ferrum with nine rebounds.
Ferrum had five players averaging double figures heading into the contest, but just three scored in double digits on Friday.
Ferrum jumped out to a double digit lead in the first half before Covenant made a rally. The Scots went on a 15-6 run to cut the deficit to 27-26 after a Cooper layup with 4:22 left in the period. But the Panthers would score the final 13 points of the half to go ahead 40-26 at halftime.
The second half belonged to Ferrum as they continued to build the lead.
Covenant will have to bounce back quickly as they host Averett on Saturday at 2 p.m. for another USA South matchup.