Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. - The Brevard College Tornados Men's Basketball team (5-13, 2-9 USAS) fell in conference action to the USA South West Division-leading Covenant Scots (12-6, 11-0 USAS) by a final score of 72-55 late Friday night.
Brevard was led by Demari Hopper, who recorded his second-straight double-digit scoring output. Hopper tallied 12 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field and recorded a team-high seven rebounds and two steals.
Junior forward Levi Lamb added 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field. Freshman Noah Lea contributed nine points and four rebounds off the bench, all of which came in the second half. Qadhafi Turner recorded eight points and a team-high three steals.
Covenant was led by Will Crumly who racked up a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Crumly is currently ranked second in the USA South, averaging 22.1 points-per-game.
The Scots, who are currently undefeated in USA South play, used a pivotal scoring run in the first half to pull away early from the Tornados. The game was tightly contested through the first eight-plus minutes, however, Covenant put together a quick 25-0 scoring run in just under seven minutes to break an 11-11 tie, as the Scots held a commanding 36-11 lead. Covenant took a 44-22 lead into the halftime break.
The Tornados put together a spirited effort in the second half against the conference's best team, outscoring the Scots 33-28 in the second stanza. Brevard cut Covenant's lead to 14 points at the 3:42 mark, however, Covenant was able to pull away and claim a 72-55 victory.
Covenant had the hot hand in the contest, shooting 51.8% (29-of-56) from the field to Brevard's 42.9% (21-of-49). The Scots hit a high mark from long-range, draining 11-of-22 (50%) on the night.
Early turnovers cost the Tornados, as seven mishaps during Covenant's first-half run propelled the Scots. BC committed 18 turnovers on the night, which Covenant turned into 24 points-off-turnovers.
The Tornados now make the two hour-plus trip to Maryville, Tenn. to face the Maryville Scots (11-6, 7-3 USAS) on Saturday afternoon at 6 p.m.
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