Five Lady Scots Score in Double Digits as Covenant Drops Hiwassee 70-46

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Freshman Alexis Storteboom and junior Jessie Blankenship each posted double-doubles as the Covenant women's basketball team pulled away in the second half to claim a 70-46 win over visiting Hiwassee on Thursday night.

In her debut as a Lady Scot, Storteboom came off the bench to notch 14 points and 14 rebounds for her first collegiate double-double. Blankenship, who had seven double-doubles a season ago, poured in 14 points and 10 boards.

Three other Covenant (1-0) players scored in double figures. Kiaira Cooper tallied 14 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in her first game action since the 2010-11 season. Morgan Woodward and Haley Soles each had 10 points. Ruth Gibson chipped in four points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Hiwassee jumped out to a 4-0 lead on a Bethany Allen jumper at the 18:58 mark of the first half. The Lady Scots would come back and grab an 11-9 lead after two Woodward free-throws, and would not relinquish the lead again.

Leading 32-24 at halftime, Covenant turned up the pressure in the second half. The Lady Scots outscored the Lady Tigers 24-8 in the first 10 minutes of the second half to build a 56-32 edge. Covenant would lead by as many as 26 points late in the half.

The Lady Scots shot just 35.9 percent (28-78) from the floor, but had a 58-35 rebounding advantage. Covenant grabbed 25 offensive rebounds to account for 20 second-chance points. The Covenant defense held Hiwassee (1-5) to only 31.6 precent shooting from the floor and 18 turnovers.

Hiwassee was led by Makayla Cordell's 13 points and five rebounds. Dominique Stringer had a dozen points, while Allen just missed a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds.

Covenant is back in action on Saturday when they travel to Knoxville, Tenn., to take on Johnson University. Tip-off is set for 12:00 p.m.