BUCCS COME UP SHORT AGAINST BETHEL

Tanner Palsgrove and the Buccaneers played with high energy, but came up short against Bethel. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo

COVINGTON – The Covington Buccaneers gave high energy and effort, but dropped their third straight game with a 55-43 loss to Bethel.

“Much better effort today. Unfortunately we came up just short again,” said Covington coach Logan Carey.

Bethel had a size and strength advantage, which led to so many extra shot opportunities due to offensive rebounds. Still, the Buccaneers were able to stay within striking distance until late in the fourth period where they were forced to foul to extend the clock.

The Bees held a 14-11 lead after one and pushed their lead to 27-13 midway through the second. The Buccaneers battled back throughout the final two minutes of the half and scored back-to-back buckets in the final 20 seconds to close the gap to 32-25 at the break.

The game remained back-and-forth in the third, but Bethel was able to hold a seven-point lead with one quarter to play, 43-36. Throughout the remainder of the game the Buccaneers only connected on two more buckets and three free throws.

Brogen Angle led the Buccs with a game-high 20 points and Tanner Palsgrove scored 14 points – both accumulating all by nine points for Covington.

“Offensively, I think we’re starting to figure things out a little bit more,” Carey said. “Brogen and Tanner carried the load for us this time and we got some great looks we were knocking down. Unfortunately when we needed shots to fall the most, they’d rim out. Just couldn’t get them to go through.”

“Defensively, we just have to finish those possessions with rebounds,” continued Carey. “Our rebounding is killing us right now. We practice rebounding every single day and at some point, it has got to translate to the game floor.”

The loss drops Covington’s record to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the TRC. Next up is another huge battle on Friday at Northridge.

Kian French is fouled as he puts up a shot. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo
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COVINGTON111411743
BETHEL1418111255

COVINGTON SCORING:
Brogen Angle – 20
Tanner Palsgrove – 14
Brant Angle – 5
Tyler Jay – 2
Kian French – 1
Reagan Tipps – 1

BETHEL SCORING:
C. Ahrens – 18
M. Halleg – 14
E. Lowery – 7
E. Goodman – 6
S. Phipps – 6
J. Friend – 4

THREE-POINT SCORING:
Covington: Tanner Palsgrove (2), Brogen Angle (1)
Bethel: M. Halleg (3), E. Lowrey (1)

Brogen Angle scored a game-high 20 points in a loss to Bethel. ©Ben Robinson/Color Green Photo