Will Crumly scored a season-high 31 points, but LaGrange's Bershard Edwards spoiled Crumly's big night with a go-ahead jumper with 4.7 seconds left to give the visiting Panthers a 62-60 win over the Covenant men's basketball team on Friday night.
The loss was the first in USA South play for Covenant (7-5, 2-1 USA South).
Crumly registered his sixth career 30-point outing with 23 second-half points as Covenant gained a 10-point lead with 12 minutes left. The graduate went 12-of-18 from the floor and added 13 rebounds to collect a double-double.
Crumly recorded his 800th career rebound during the second half.
Covenant trailed 40-35 early in the second half, but rattled off a 19-4 scoring run over a four-minute stretch to take a 54-44 lead. Crumly was huge during the run as he scored 17 points and made three 3-pointers to give the Scots their biggest lead of the game.
LaGrange (7-8, 2-0 USA South) clamped down defensively the rest of the way and chipped away at the Scots' lead.
Kyle Brown knocked down a jumper with 1:02 left in the second half to draw the Panthers even at 60-60.
On Covenant's ensuing possession, Brady Palmer had an open look from 3-point land but could not convert. LaGrange took the time down on its next chance and Edwards drained a mid-range jumper with 4.7 seconds left to give the Panthers a 62-60 lead. The Scots would not get a look on the final possession as Brown came away with a steal in the backcourt and dribbled out the clock.
Brown finished with 20 points and eight rebounds for LaGrange, while Edwards had 18 points and Zac Hill 10. The Panthers shot 46 percent (29-of-63) from the field and attempted just one free throw (0-for-1).
Crumly scored all but four of Covenant's points in the second half. Chris Barnette scored all 12 of his points in the first half and was the only other Scot in double figures. Barnette also added seven assists, six rebounds, and two steals. Brady Palmer added eight points and five rebounds, while Promise Igbanu had four points and four rebounds.
Covenant made eight 3-pointers and shot 42.1 percent (24-of-57) for the game.
The Scots will host Huntingdon on Saturday inside Barnes PE Center. Game time is at 4 p.m.