The 2020-21 season finally tipped off for the Covenant women's basketball team on Saturday as the Scots dropped an exhibition to Division I member Mercer, 78-25.
Covenant will open the regular season on Wednesday at Birmingham Southern. Mercer (2-2), which was picked third in the SoCon, picks up its second win of the year.
Destiny Mergilles had seven points and four rebounds to lead the Scots. Hannah Monday added six points and Karis McIntosh had five points.
Covenant forced a Mercer turnover on the opening possession of the game and a Monday jumper tied the score at 2-2 just over a minute into the contest.
However, Mercer asserted itself later on as the Bears used their height as an advantage. The Bears took a 22-4 lead at the end of the first quarter and cruised from there.
Shannon Titus, the preseason SoCon Player of the Year, led all players with 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Sierra Votaw had 14 points, while Jaron Dougherty posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Mercer shot 47.9 percent (34-of-71) from the floor, but was held to only two made 3-pointers (2-of-13).
With 14 newcomers on the team, head coach Skylar Bareford played all 15 available players on Saturday. Ruthie Moore totaled two assists and three rebounds.
Covenant will begin the regular season on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at Birmingham Southern in the opener of the Richard Dardenne Memorial Classic. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. EST (1 p.m. CST).