Destiny Mergilles recorded her fourth double-double in the past six games in today's rematch against LaGrange. The freshman posted an impressive 17 points, 17 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals.
It was not enough, though, as the visiting Panthers took the win over the Scots, 69-56.
Sophomore Ruthie Moore added 14 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Mary Elaine Mitchell posted eight points and four rebounds.
The Scots started off hot, bursting out with a 9-0 run.
LaGrange would soon answer with a quick 15-5 run of their own, in which a 3-pointer from Jalaya Lewis gave the Panthers a 15-14 lead at the 2:29 mark. Lewis hit three from downtown during the period.
Headed into the second quarter down by six, Covenant entered a scoring drought which was ended by a Mergilles layup at the 6:03 mark. LaGrange capitalized during that time, outscoring the Scots 9-0. Panther point guard Jahpera McEachin scored four of those nine points and ended up with 11 for the quarter.
Starting the second half down by 10, the Scots came out ready, shooting at 40 percent both from the floor and from behind the arc. Mergilles came alive in the third period, scoring seven points and posting six rebounds. A 3-pointer from Mitchell at the 8:37 mark put Covenant within seven points of LaGrange, and another from Moore one minute later would put the Scots within four.
Outscoring the Panthers 15-11 during the third, Covenant would enter the fourth quarter down by six, 49-43. Though, the hot hands from the previous period would go cold for the Scots, as they only scored 13 points to finish out the last quarter. LaGrange quickly jumped out with a 13 point lead.
The Scots continued to battle though, with back-to-back threes from Karis McIntosh and Moore to put Covenant within seven with 2:36 left to go in the contest. But it was all LaGrange from there, as they finished the game on a 7-1 run.
The Panthers were led by McEachin who continued her impressive play with 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Lewis added 18 points, six rebounds, and three steals. LaGrange improves to 4-0 in USA South play (4-0 overall), and the Scots fall to 0-4 in conference play (1-11 overall).