Following a heartbreaking loss in overtime to the Sewanee Tigers earlier last week, the Covenant men's basketball team looked to bounce back as they traveled to Memphis, Tennessee for the Rhodes Classic. Although the Scots had encountered their first opponent of the tournament, Rhodes, six times in school history, the second game of the weekend would come against first-time opponent Colorado College.
In game one against Rhodes, the Scots were defeated by a score of 52-86. The hosting Lynx secured a strong lead of 19 points by the end of the first half, and Covenant was unable to gain any traction in their attempts to fight back into the game.
Coming hot off his record-setting 51-point performance against Sewanee at home, Promise Igbanu continued his stellar play this season by collecting a double-double on the night with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Picking up his second double-double of the year, Igbanu is currently averaging over 19 points a game and has firmly established himself as the cornerstone of Covenant's offense.
Senior forward Logan Pearlman also had a solid night on both ends of the floor, as he contributed 10 points, two steals, and an assist. In addition to going 3-5 from behind the three-point line, Pearlman shot 50% from both the field and the free throw line.
The loss to Rhodes moved Covenant's record for the season to 2-7, but the Scots had another opportunity to get back into the win column in their 5:00 PM matchup with Colorado College. Despite the game being on the road and against an opponent they had never faced before, the Scots were able to overcome the adversity and secure a 73-60 victory over the Tigers.
The offense for game number two for Covenant was led by freshman guard Luke Crowden, who put up a career-high 21 points while going 7-10 from three-point distance. Also securing two rebounds and a steal, Crowden has been making the most of his increased minutes and shooting opportunities.
Malcolm Noel and Jonathan Gernatt also both served as strong offensive performers. Noel was able to lock up a double-double for himself with 15 points and 10 assists, as well as seven rebounds on the night. Gernatt scored 18 points of his own while shooting 54% from the field on his 13 field goal attempts.
Allowing only three free throw attempts in the entire game for the Tigers, Covenant played a controlled game on the defensive end of the court. The combination of a strong defensive effort and a 53% field goal percentage for the night propelled the Scots into their third win of the season, moving their record to 3-7 for the year.
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