LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Aleigha Williams and Joanna Smith had 20 points apiece, but the Covenant women's basketball team fell in overtime 76-71 to visiting Sewanee inside Barnes PE Center on Tuesday night.
Smith recorded her second straight double-double with 14 rebounds to go along with her career-high 20 points. Williams added eight rebounds, a team-high five assists and three steals for Covenant (2-5).
Covenant trailed 32-27 at halftime, but shot 51.7 percent (15-of-29) in the second half to take the lead. The Scots outscored Sewanee 20-12 in the third quarter, capped by consecutive baskets from Clara Dirkse and Smith to gain a 47-44 lead entering the fourth.
The hot shooting continued in the fourth as Covenant made six of its first seven attempts to take a 62-56 lead after a Williams 3-pointer with 3:20 remaining. Sewanee rallied and took a 65-63 lead with eight seconds left on a Corey Caulder jumper. After a timeout, Smith was fouled while driving to the hoop with 2.2 ticks left. The freshman calmly knocked down both free throws and Bella Taylor's jumper as time expired was off the mark to send the contest into overtime.
Sewanee took the lead for good on a Jamie Chauvin jumper with 1:55 left that gave the Tigers a 69-67 edge. Covenant trimmed a five-point deficit to 74-71 after a Williams layup with nine seconds left, but Sewanee's Taylor sank a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession to secure the victory for the Tigers.
Taylor led all players with 23 points to go along with six steals and four assists. Chauvin added 17 points and six rebounds, while Caulder poured in 14 points with five rebounds and three assists. Sewanee (6-3) was held to 40.3 percent (29-of-72) from the field but made eight 3-pointers.
Covenant also received seven points and 10 rebounds from Rachel Price and eight points apiece from Dirkse and Bekah Walter. Walter also tallied five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Alex Quimby chipped in six points and five rebounds off the bench.
Covenant outrebounded the Tigers 53-37 and shot 44.1 percent (30-of-68) for the game. The Scots dished out 19 assists on those 30 made field goals.
UP NEXT
Covenant travels to Maryville on Saturday to open USA South play. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
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