MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Covenant men's basketball team finished off its first winning season since 1998-99 with a resounding 69-60 victory over Huntingdon on Thursday afternoon in Montgomery.
Covenant finishes the season 14-11 overall. The 14 wins are the most since the 2005-06 season when the Scots went 14-18. It is also the first time since the 1998-99 season that Covenant has a record at or above the .500 mark.
And on this afternoon, it was one of the more unlikely players to lead the Scots in scoring. Nate Frierson scored a career-high 15 points that included a perfect 6-of-6 from the foul line and 4-of-6 from the field. It is the first time all season that Frierson has scored in double digits. Frierson also added three steals and three rebounds.
Three other Scots scored in double digits. Colton McGriff had 12 points, all coming in the second half. Callum Sears scored all 11 of his points in the first half and Sam Bowman tallied 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
Huntingdon gained an 11-point lead on two occasions in the first half, but the Scots came back and trailed 28-24 going into halftime.
In the second half, the Scots started to heat up. After Huntingdon made two free-throws to begin the half, Covenant went on a 7-0 run on the strength of baskets from McGriff, Bowman, and Frierson to go ahead 31-30 with 17:18 left.
Huntingdon would gain a small lead again, but then seven consecutive points from McGriff -- four free-throws and a 3-pointer -- gave the Scots a 40-37 edge. Covenant would never look back from that point on.
After Huntingdon cut the Covenant lead to 53-48 with 4:18 remaining, Frierson answered with a jumper and two free-throws that gave the Scots a 57-50 lead at the 2:38 mark. Rosbie Mutcherson then effectively ended any chance of a Huntingdon comeback with a 3-pointer that gave Covenant a 60-50 lead with under two minutes left.
Covenant made 38.9 percent (21-54) from the field, but connected on seven 3-pointers and 20-of-28 free-throws. Huntingdon was limited to 37.3 percent (19-51) shooting but made 20-of-24 from the charity stripe.
Huntingdon (6-18) was led in scoring by Jeremiah Thomas' 15 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds. Jason Varney added 10 points off the bench for the Hawks.
Covenant will now turn its attention to the NCCAA Mid-East Regional tournament which begins March 7 in Chattanooga. The tournament is being hosted by Tennessee Temple. Times and opponents are to be determined.