COVINGTON – The Covington Buccaneers had a golden opportunity to capture a second straight victory on Tuesday, but came up short in a 64-59 loss to Ansonia.

And it was the Buccaneer’s inability to contain Ansonia’s physicality and strength inside the paint that ultimately was the difference.

The Tigers jumped out to a 19-11 lead after one as the Buccaneers struggled getting into a groove as a team. Bryson Hite and Britton Miller combined to score all 11 points in the frame for the Buccaneers, while Ansonia had six players contribute to its 19 points in the first.

The Buccaneers turned the tide in the second as six players contributed to a 21-point scoring effort in the second. Covington took its first lead to the game with 1:04 left in the half on a stick back by Gunner Kimmel and Kimmel followed by stealing the ball from Ansonia on the ensuing possession.

Britton Miller was fouled taking the ball to the basket and converted the two free throws to push Covington’s lead at 32-29 with 5 seconds left on the clock.

Ansonia connected on a runner at the buzzer to cut the Buccaneer advantage to 32-31 at the break.

Tanner Palsgrove opened the second half with a three-pointer for Covington and the Buccs eventually built a five-point lead midway through the third.

Unfortunately for Covington, Gunner Kimmel picked up his third and fourth foul in a span of 30 seconds and Ansonia took advantage by pounding the ball inside to cut the Buccs’ lead to 43-41 heading into the fourth.

The physical tone continued for Ansonia in the fourth as the Tigers were able to build an eight-point lead, which was too much for the Buccaneers to overcome down the stretch. Ansonia converted on 8 of 11 free throws in the final frame.

Britton Miller led Covington with 19 points, while Bryson Hite and Brogen Angle scored 14 points each.

The Buccs fall to 4-11 on the season and travel to Bethel on Friday.

SCORE BY QUARTERS:
Ansonia – 19 – 12 – 10 – 23 = 64
Covington – 11 – 21 – 11 – 16 = 59

COVINGTON SCORING:
Britton Miller – 19
Bryson hite – 14
Brogen Angle – 14
Tanner Palsgrove – 9
Gunner Kimmel – 2
Connor Humphrey – 1

ANSONIA SCORING:
Reichert – 18
Stamman – 14
Schmitmeyer – 13
Moody – 10
Kermerick – 4
Bowman – 3
Creager – 2

THREE-POINT SCORING:
Covington – Brogen Angle (2), Tanner Palsgrove (1), Bryson Hite (1), Britton Miller (1)
Ansonia – Bowman (1), Kemerick (1), Stamman (1), Moody (1)