Phil de Montmollin: Sports Information Director
BREVARD, N.C. - The Brevard College Men's Basketball team (5-17, 2-13 USAS) fell to the leaders of the USA South Conference with a 79-67 defeat to Covenant (15-7, 14-1 USAS) on Friday night at the Boshamer Gymnasium.
The Tornados, who trailed by as many as 23 points, cut the deficit to single-digits in the final minutes, but ultimately fell short to the well-balanced Scots.
Guard Qadhafi Turner led Brevard with a team-high 16 points. Freshman Joshua Wilson scored a career-high 13 points off the bench to go along with five rebounds.
Cannon Lamb had a big night on the glass, pulling down a game-high nine rebounds and scoring nine points. Demari Hopper added seven points.
Covenant was led by Will Crumley who scored 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting. Bailey Spragg (17 pts) and James Mitchell (12 pts) also scored in double figures for the Scots.
The two teams traded baskets to start the game as BC senior Ke'vel Kingsberry slammed home a highlight-reel dunk to tie the game 2-2. Covenant would pull away though, building a 17-4 lead on a 12-0 run in the game's first six minutes.
The Tornados followed with a 12-3 run of their own capped by a Wilson three-pointer to cut the deficit to six points with 8:30 to play in the opening stanza.
Covenant outscored BC 20-8 for the rest of the first half to take a 45-27 advantage into intermission. The Scots then took control in the first ten minutes of the second half, building 66-43 until a Turner three-pointer stopped the onslaught.
The Tornados reeled off a 9-0 run in the final minutes to cut the deficit to 74-65 with two minutes remaining. However, the Scots would hit a three-pointer along with a pair of made free throws to put the game away.
The Scots outshot the Tornados 54% to 38% from the field. Both teams shot well from the free throw line, with Covenant making 15 of 17 attempts (88%) while Brevard hit 18-of-22 (82%) from the charity stripe.
Brevard returns to action on Saturday at 2 p.m vs. Greensboro at the Boshamer Gymnasium. Kingsberry, the 2018-19 squad's lone senior, will be honored pre-game as part of Senior Day ceremonies.
To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
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