LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga.—A furious fourth-quarter rally fell just short as the Agnes Scott offense ran out of steam in the final minutes allowing host Covenant to escape with a 55-46 victory. Emma Olson (Austin, Texas) had an efficient 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while Garis Grant (Charleston, S.C.) contributed a second double-double of the season with 12 points and 15 rebounds in limited minutes.

Covenant (3-5, 1-0 USA South) received a career night from Rachel Thomas (Ringgold, Ga.), a timely tradition a Scot has seemed to draw out of a matchup with the Scotties in their home court recently. Thomas finished with 20 points, including a back-breaking triple late in the fourth to put the Scots up two possessions for good. The third-year player made two threes in the game after only making one through six games leading up to the game.

The Scotties were a sample of consistency through three quarters, scoring 10 points in each frame while struggling to get in a groove on offense as a whole. Grant had a standout first quarter with eight points and four rebounds, but tight calls in the post in succession took her out of commission early in the second quarter.

Agnes Scott was buoyed by first-year Addison Harrison (Ellenwood, Ga.) in Grant's absence. Harrison, returning to action for the first time in six games, sparked the Scottie offense with a couple of nice knockdowns to give Agnes a 17-13 lead in the middle of the second quarter.

However, Covenant got hot quickly on the other end and turned the game on its head with a 12-3 run over the final four minutes to take a 25-20 lead at the halftime break.

The Scots took advantage of a couple of miscues directly out of the half and outscored the Scotties 16-10 in the third quarter to push its lead to 11 entering the final 10 minutes.

When Covenant scored to begin the final period, it looked like 13 points would be too much for a quiet Scottie offense to overcome.

The young Scotties had other ideas.

Olson, a sophomore forward, put the team on her back, scoring 13 of her team-leading 16 points in the second half. More importantly, she did so with an efficiency that allowed the Scotties to maximize its offensive possessions.

Annie Weimerskirch (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and Grant were also a menace on the offensive glass, giving the Scotties several second and third chance opportunities in the fourth.

A suddenly resurgent offense combined with a lockdown defensive effort allowed the Scotties to claw their way back into the game. Back within two points at 45-43, Grant picked up her fifth foul on a tough 50-50 ball and forced the Scotties to turn back to its bench.

Agnes Scott was able to tie the game with a pair of Olson free throws, but Grant's presence in the middle of paint was sorely missing down the stretch. Covenant converted a quick bucket on the block to go back up 47-45 and held the Scotties to only one point over the final three minutes and change to send the visitors to a disappointing result.

The Scotties (0-7) return home for the first time in two weeks to take on Berea College on Saturday at 2 p.m.