The Covenant women's basketball team opened up USA South conference play with a loss at Piedmont, 70-45. As the preseason USA South West Division favorite, a strong second half gave the host Lions the push needed to top the Scots.
Cosette Kirsch led Covenant with all 13 of her points coming in the first half. Shooting 80% from the field (4-for-5), she also was a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc. Destiny Mergilles added nine points and four rebounds.
The first half saw lots of back and forth action, including four lead changes and two ties.
Kirsch was hot from behind the arc early, with her first 3-pointer coming at the 7:43 mark of the first quarter. Her next one would come a few minutes later at the 3:52 mark, giving Covenant a 10-8 lead.
After two back-to-back possessions with a score, Mergilles extended the lead to 14-11. Piedmont would not let up easily, though, as they would tie up the game 19-19 in the second quarter at the 4:55 mark with a layup by Nakiyah Washington.
The Lions would go on a 16-4 run to end the second half, as the Scots went almost six full minutes without a score. Regardless of the struggle to score, Covenant stayed within reach, ending the first half only trailing 31-23.
Though, it was Piedmont's second half that proved to be too much for the Scots.
The Lions came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring Covenant 26-10. Piedmont shot 47.4 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from 3-point land during the 10 minute span. The Lions also put their defensive pressure on full display, scoring 39 points off turnovers.
Washington led Piedmont with 19 points and six rebounds. Hope Franklin added 16 points and seven rebounds. The Lions' record improves to 3-3, while the Scots drop to 1-8.