January 15, 2008

 

     Lookout Mtn., GA—The Bryan College Lady Lions traveled to Lookout Mountain on Tuesday night to take on long time rival and AAC #3 Covenant College Lady Scots. Over the last few years, the Lady Lions have been dominant in the series, winning 6 straight contests over the Lady Scots. Tuesday night however, the Lady Scots were the higher ranked team and the tables were turned.

     Tuesday night was as intense as ever, as Covenant students filled the gym early and were on their feet nearly every time the Lady Scots scored. The Lady Lions came in to the game in the middle of an eight game losing streak, needing to turn their fortunes around, and get back on track. As the game got underway, Bryan fans were still finding their seats and settling in for what would be the most exciting game of the night.

     Both teams struggled offensively in the early going, each team shooting below 25% in the half. Covenant’s star guard Liz martin got hot early, hitting for 11 first half points before cooling off, allowing the Lions to stay close. Bryan remained close in the first half despite their offensive woes because of great rebounding from Jessica Southern, Lauren Copeland and Amber Smith. The Lady Lions, currently ranked 3^rd in the country in rebounds per game pulled down 27 first half boards. As the two teams headed to the locker room at the break, the Lady Scots led by 6, 24-18.

     The Lady Lions shot 40% from the floor in the second half, keyed again by tough inside play from Amber Smith and Jessica Southern. The teams traded buckets before Bryan made a run to take the lead; With 10 minutes left in the game, Katie Davis found Jessica Southern for a layup plus a foul. Southern hit another jumper in the lane to tie the game at 36, and with 9:00 left in the second half, Amber Smith hit a layup to give the Lady Lions their first lead of the ballgame.

     The Lions would stretch the lead to 4, but a Liz Martin 3-pointer and another covenant layup put the Lady Scots ahead 53-32 with 34 seconds left to play. Becca Morris was fouled while shooting, and headed to the line with a chance to put the Lions ahead, but was unable to convert. After a missed Covenant free throw, Jessica Southern took a jumper in the lane for the win, but the shot hit the back iron and narrowly bounced out. Final Score: Covenant 53, Bryan 52.

     Despite the loss, the Lady Lions showed they are better than their record would suggest and they have the ability to compete with the top teams in the AAC. The team travels to Barbourville, KY on Saturday to take on top seeded Union College. Tip-Off is set for 4:00 PM.