Chris Barnette and Will Crumly had 18 points apiece, but the Covenant men's basketball team fell for a second straight game with a 66-60 loss at Berea on Tuesday night in USA South action.
Covenant (14-10, 11-6 USA South), which has already clinched the USA South West Division regular season title, split the season series with Berea (10-14, 6-11 USA South). Berea keeps its hopes alive for a USA South Tournament berth.
After leading by five (21-16) at halftime, Covenant found itself down by 10 (42-32) with 10 minutes left in the second half.
The Scots chipped away at the deficit and got within five on two occasions late in the second half, including after a Barnette jumper made it 59-54 with 1:57 remaining.
After a timeout, Covenant got back-to-back defensive stops and Daevon Platt buried a 3-pointer with 1:18 left to draw the Scots within 59-57. Covenant missed a pair of 3-pointers on its next two possessions, while Berea regained a six-point lead (63-57) after going 4-for-4 at the free throw line. The host Mountaineers hit 7-of-8 free throws over the final minute to pull away for the win.
Barnette had 18 points with eight rebounds and three assists, while Crumly had 18 points and seven rebounds in the loss. Platt finished with 11 points with three 3-pointers.
Covenant struggled from the field for a second straight game. The Scots connected on 37.1 percent (23-of-62) from the floor and with six 3-pointers. Covenant missed its first 11 3-pointers before James Mitchell buried a trey with 10:15 left in the second half.
The Scots took a five-point lead into halftime after limiting Berea to only five made field goals in the first half. Crumly had nine first half points and Barnette scored the final four points of the half for the Scots as the visitors went on a 6-0 run over the final four minutes of the period to grab the lead.
Berea opened the second half with an 11-4 run to take a 27-25 lead before surging ahead 42-32 after a 13-3 spurt ended with just over 10 minutes left in regulation.
Quae Charlton led Berea with 21 points and Torell Carter had a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds. The Mountaineers shot 39.2 percent (20-of-51) from the field, but made 22-of-28 at the free throw line.
Covenant concludes the regular season on Saturday at N.C. Wesleyan. Tip-off has been moved up to 1 p.m. in Rocky Mount, N.C.--