Clay Wages and Nic Whitfield led the Panthers with a game-high 17 points each. Whitfield was 8-of-13 shooting, while Wages hit 9-of-10 at the free throw line. Marcus Vaughn had his second straight double-double. He finished with 15 points and a team-high 13 rebounds.

Covenant had five players in double figures. Logan Dahms led the Scots with 13 points. Sam Bowman had a double-double of 12 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.

The Panthers shot only 28.8 percent in the game. They made 22-of-30 at the free throw line. Covenant shot 41.0 percent in the game.

Covenant took an 18-6 lead seven minutes into the game. The Panthers trailed 34-26 with 3:57 left in the first half. The Panthers ran off 10 straight points to take a 36-34 lead. Wages, who had 12 points in the half, hit a 3-pointer to make it 34-33. Vaughn finished the run by completing a three-point play for a 36-34 lead.

Trailing 40-38, the Panthers tied the game at halftime after the Scots' Dahms was called for a technical. Wages hit both of the technical free throws to tie the game at 40.

The Panthers took their biggest lead of the game in the second half. Brandon Maddox hit one of two free throws to put the Panthers up 55-49 with 12:25 left in the game.

Covenant came back to tie the game and the lead switched back and forth. Whitfield's basket with 1:34 left gave the Panthers their last lead, 65-64. Wages hit one of two free throws to get the Panthers within one, 67-66, but the Scots scored the final three points for the 70-66 win.

The Panthers host Maryville on Saturday in a GSAC game. Game time is 4 p.m.