LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – Asbury (5-15, 3-4 CCS) stormed back from an 18-point second-half deficit, using timely three-point shooting, and a final defensive stand to defeat Covenant (7-13, 2-5 CCS) 91-88 on Friday night at the Barnes Physical Education Center in Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Trailing by a wide margin early in the second half, the Eagles outscored Covenant 50-42 after the break to complete the comeback. Jonathan Combs led Asbury with 22 points and seven rebounds, hitting four three-pointers, including a go-ahead triple that put the Eagles in front 82-79 with 3:54 to play. From there, Asbury leaned on its perimeter shooting and pressure defense to close out the win.
Covenant appeared in control after building a lead that swelled to 18 in the second half, capitalizing on points in the paint and transition. The Scots carried momentum into halftime, using a late surge that included a three-point play from Derrius Teagle in the final 30 seconds to take a 46-41 advantage into the locker room. Covenant finished with 42 points in the paint and 21 fastbreak points, but 20 turnovers opened the door for the Eagles' rally.
Asbury flipped the game with its shooting, knocking down 16 three-pointers on 30 attempts and finishing with 25 assists on 31 made field goals. The Eagles also turned defense into offense, recording 13 steals and converting Covenant mistakes into 26 points off turnovers.
Jordan Lewis was a key factor on the perimeter with nine points, five assists and four steals, and he delivered the decisive defensive play by stealing the ball on Covenant's final possession as the Scots tried to tie the game at the buzzer.
Tyler Hall poured in 15 points, four rebounds and five assists, while connecting on three, three-pointers. The Eagles' bench contributed 37 points as part of a deep rotation that helped sustain the second-half surge.
Asbury finished 31-for-63 from the field and 13-for-21 at the line while collecting 32 rebounds. Aaron Thompson added 13 points off the bench, shooting a perfect five-for-five from the field and three-of-three from deep.
Covenant was led by 17 points from Pierce Smith, who added five rebounds and three assists, and 15 points from Logan Patterson, who hit three, three-pointers and matched Smith with five boards and three assists. The Scots shot efficiently at 31-for-58 from the floor and 17-for-28 from the foul line and held a 37-32 edge on the glass
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Jonathan Combs | 22 (8-16 FG) (4-7 3PT), 7 REB
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Tyler Hall | 15 PTS (5-8 FG) (3-5 3PT), 5 AST, 4 REB
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Aaron Thompson | 13 PTS (5-5 FG) (3-3 3PT), 4 AST
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Jordan Lewis | 9 PTS, 5 AST, 4 STL
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Cam Jones | 9 PTS (2-2 3 PT), 4 REB
"This was one of the hardest fought games we've had all year. So proud of each guy on this team. When Covenant made runs, we stood firm and made the next right play. It's so good to see all the hard work we put in together start to pay off. Ready to get back to work and win the next one!"
Tyler Hall | Junior | Communications Major | Lexington, Ky.
Asbury travels to Huntingdon College on February 6th, taking on the Hawks at 7 PM EST (6 PM CST)
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