For the final game of a five-game home stand, the Covenant men's basketball team battled Birmingham-Southern. The Scots played the Panthers close, but couldn't get the ball to roll its way in the final minute as they were defeated 75-70.
Fisher Mitchell had Covenant's opening two baskets with a pair of triples to give it a 6-5 lead. Jonathan Gernatt hit a 3-pointer and a jumper to push the Scots ahead 14-9. Kinard got in on the 3-point frenzy with 13:43 left in the game as Covenant led 17-11. A breakaway dunk capped off an 11-0 run for the Panthers as they went ahead 22-17. 3-pointers on consecutive possessions by Gernatt put Covenant back in the lead 25-24. The two teams went back-and-forth before a triple and a layup by David Compere put the Scots in front 35-32 with 3:49 remaining. Compere hit another 3-pointer with 1:34 left to put the score at 39-37. A made free throw then a buzzer beater by Brandan Copeland for BSC gave it a 40-39 advantage at halftime.
The Panthers came out of the locker room hot, making their first four shots to go ahead 50-43.
Logan Pearlman got Covenant back to within five points with a 3-pointer. Kinard followed that with a made basket to put Covenant behind 57-54 midway through the half.
Trailing by seven points again, Covenant held BSC scoreless for the next 3.5 minutes of the game to get back within three points. BSC scored on consecutive possessions to go ahead 68-63 with 3:27 remaining. Gernatt scored five-straight points in less than 30 seconds to put the Scots within one point with 1:01 left in the game. A layup for the Panthers followed by a defensive stop and two made free throws clinched them the win.
Covenant drops to 6-12 all-time against BSC. Gernatt scored a game-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting with eight rebounds. Compere and Jesse Kinard were also in double-figures with 16 point and 13 points. The Scots shot 41.4% (24-58) from the field while the Panthers were 48.3% (29-60) shooting. Covenant made 13 triples and only allowed five for BSC.
Covenant travels to Oglethorpe on Dec. 16 for its final game before Christmas. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.