BEREA, Ky. – The Berea College men's basketball team shot 27.3 percent in the second half, falling 67-48 to Covenant College (Ga.) on Tuesday evening.

The Mountaineers drop to 4-11 overall and 0-4 in USA South Conference play while the Scots improve to 9-5 and 4-1 in conference action.

With 22 points, freshmen guard Trey Minter was tied for the most points in the contest. Sophomore guard Kevion Hudson added 10 points to go with six rebounds.

The Scots came out shooting well, knocking down five of their first 12 shots to hold an 11-4 lead to start the evening. The Mountaineers began to cut into the deficit as junior guard Isaac Caudill scored five-straight points to pull Berea closer. Caudill began his scoring run by knocking down a mid-range jump shot. After a defensive stop, Caudill drove into the lane for a layup plus a trip to the free-throw line as Berea trailed 11-9 with 12:11 remaining in the half.

Following a quick basket by Covenant, the Mountaineers tied the game after scoring the next four points. Minter laced a pair of free throws, while freshmen guard Marquis Mackey hit a turnaround jump shot to tie the game 13-13 with 9:23 left in the half. Berea stayed within three points for most of the closing minutes of the half before Minter's second three-pointer put the Mountaineers in front 23-22 with a little under four minutes left in the half. Covenant ended the first half outscoring the Mountaineers 7-4 to take a 29-27 lead going into halftime. Berea shot nine-for-26 in the opening 20 minutes while the Scots shot 13-for-34.  

Berea quickly took the lead coming out of halftime, as Minter scored four-straight points to push the Mountaineers ahead. The Scots responded with a three-pointer before Hudson hit a floater in the paint and Berea held a 33-32 lead around two and a half minutes into the second half. Covenant grabbed a five-point advantage but a basket by Minter brought the game within one possession. However, the Scots began to apply pressure, expanding their lead to 13 points with 9:27 remaining in the game.

The Mountaineers cut the deficit to seven points, but Covenant hit a shot from beyond the arc to give the Scots a double-digit advantage they wouldn't surrender as Berea would eventually fall 67-48 to Covenant.

The Berea College men's basketball team returns to the hardwood on Saturday, Jan. 29 when they travel to face LaGrange College (Ga.). Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. in LaGrange, Ga.