Hannah Monday scored a career-high 27 points and collected seven rebounds, but the Covenant women's basketball team could not overcome Birmingham Southern in an 84-72 loss at the Richard Dardenne Memorial Classic on Saturday.
Monday led all players with her 27 points, topping her previous career-high of 18 points. The junior was 10-of-14 from the field, with a 3-pointer, while also connecting on 6-of-7 at the free throw line to go with seven boards.
Covenant (1-2) had four players reach double figures in the loss.
Ruthie Moore had a season-high 14 points along with seven rebounds and four assists, while Rachel Thomas also poured in a career-high 14 points and seven rebounds in a reserve role. Margo Koby added 11 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
The Scots shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59) from the field and went 4-of-7 from deep. Covenant had 44 of its points came in the paint, with Monday being a main contributor.
Birmingham Southern (3-1) led 21-17 at the end of the first period despite Covenant shooting 60 percent (6-of-10) in the opening 10 minutes. The host Panthers stretched the lead to double figures in the second quarter, but Covenant sliced its deficit to eight (40-32) at the break.
The Panthers slowly built the lead back up again in the third period and into the fourth. Birmingham Southern led by 23 early in the final period before Covenant cut into the lead. The Scots trimmed a 21-point deficit late in the fourth to just 12 at 82-70, but time ran out on the Covenant comeback attempt.
Covenant had 15 assists on its 27 made field goals and held a 43-37 rebounding edge over Birmingham Southern.
Derienne Black led the Panthers with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Emilee Olson had 21 points and nine boards. Misa Fujii added 13 points and seven assists. Birmingham Southern shot 42.7 percent (32-of-75) from the floor, but was just 2-of-13 from 3-point land.
Covenant will host Sewanee for its home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Tip-off at Barnes PE Center is set for 5 p.m.