WEST MILTON – Covington was swept on the season by Milton-Union as the Lady Bulldogs held off a late comeback by the Lady Buccs in a 43-39 score.
Covington struggled mightily in the first half as it only managed two buckets in the first and two more in the second for nine points at the break. Fortunately the defense kept the Lady Buccs in the game as Milton-Union held a slim 10-9 lead at the half.
“We played man-to-man and held them to ten points in the first half, but we couldn’t buy a basket,” said Covington coach Shawn Naff.
Things went downhill fast to start the second half as Milton-Union went on a 12-0 run to take a commanding 22-9 lead.
But when things appeared to be doom and gloom, sophomore Maggie Anderson and freshman Delaney Murphy rose to the forefront. Murphy, who took over at the point with Avery Koffer out of the lineup due to injury, sparked Covington with 11 second half points.
“Delaney stepped up big,” praised Naff.
Maggie Anderson has emerged as a leader and she also lifted Covington by scoring 13 of her game-high 17 points in the second half.
Covington closed the gap to 29-18 at the end of the third and held Milton-Union to just one field goal in the fourth.
The Lady Buccs closed the gap to a two possession game, but ran out of time.
“We gave up too many points in the third,” Naff said. “We played three quarters very well defensively and had a strong fourth quarter comeback, but it was too little, too late.
Maggie Anderson led all scorers with 17 points, while Delaney Murphy scored 11 points.
The Lady Buccs fall to 10-8 overall and 7-4 in the TRC, while Milton-Union moves to 13-4 and 8-3 in the league.
Covington hosts Lehman Catholic on Saturday.
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
COVINGTON – 4 – 5 – 9 – 21 = 39
MILTON-UNION – 5 – 5 – 19 – 14 = 43
COVINGTON SCORING:
Maggie Anderson – 17
Delaney Murphy – 11
Gracie Anderson – 6
Carlie Besecker – 5
MILTON-UNION SCORING:
Jenna Brumbaugh – 14
Rachel Jacobs – 11
Kearsyn Robison – 9
Ava Berberich – 5
Shannon Brumbaugh – 4
THREE-POINT SCORING:
Covington – Gracie Anderson (2), Delaney Murphy (1)
Milton-Union – Kearsyn Robison (3), Jenna Brumbaugh (2)
