Fourth quarters have been kind to the Covenant women's basketball team this year and that was on display again on Saturday as the Scots outscored Agnes Scott 16-3 in the final stanza to pull away for a 51-35 victory inside the Woodruff Gymnasium.
Covenant (6-10, 3-4 USA South) snapped a three-game losing streak with the win and secured a season sweep of Agnes Scott (0-17, 0-8 USA South).
The Scots trailed 31-30 with under four minutes left in the third period, but outscored the host Scotties 21-4 the rest of the way.
A Ruthie Moore 3-pointer in the final seconds of the third gave Covenant a 35-32 lead, the 15th and final lead change of the game.
The run continued into the fourth period as the Covenant defense locked down Agnes Scott. The Scots used a 14-0 run over a five-plus minute stretch to grab its largest lead of the day at 51-34 after a Cosette Kirsch 3-pointer.
In the fourth period, the Scots forced Agnes Scott into 10 turnovers and one made field goal. Kirsch had nine points in the quarter.
Covenant has outscored opponents by 29 in fourth quarters this season and outscored the opposition in the final period in six of its last seven games.
Kirsch led Covenant with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and six steals. Moore was the only other Scot in double-figure scoring with her 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Margo Koby narrowly missed a double-double with eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds, while Hannah Monday added seven points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
It was a struggle for both teams to find consistent offense. Covenant ended the game connecting on only 29 percent (20-of-69) from the field with six 3-pointers and a 5-of-8 effort at the line. Agnes Scott hit 37.8 percent (14-of-37) with three 3-pointers.
Covenant was eventually able to wear down an Agnes Scott squad that played just six players. With constant full-court pressure, the Scots forced 28 turnovers and converted those into 24 points.
Addison Harrison’s 10 points and four steals led Agnes Scott, while Anna Weimerskirch had nine points and four rebounds. Emma Olson gathered seven rebounds for the Scotties.
Covenant returns home on Tuesday to face USA South West Division leader Berea. Tip-off at Barnes PE Center is set for 6 p.m.
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