JACKSON, Miss. -- LeTourneau women's basketball held a late lead over the Belhaven Blazers, but ultimately fell 79-69 inside Rugg Arena Saturday afternoon.

Makenzie Covey exploded for a career-best 24 points and nine rebounds. Covey shot an efficient 11-of-15 from the floor and added three assists.

Kylie Weeks added 16 points -- including 4-of-7 from 3-point land --  which makes four straight double-digit point games to start her season. The senior added four steals in the contest and is averaging 3.8 steals a game early this year.

Mariana Espinosa contributed 15 points, six boards, and three steals, marking her third 15-plus point performance on the year.

The YellowJackets (1-3) got on the board first when Covey cleaned the offensive glass for a tip-in basket, but the Blazers would answer with authority, securing a 9-0 run over the next 5:08.

The final minutes of the first saw each basket be answered, and Belhaven (5-0) held a 17-9 lead.

The Blazers would score first to open the second quarter and extend their lead to double digits, but slowly LeTourneau would chip away.

With 6:23 remaining in the half, Covey knocked down a baseline jumper, igniting a 9-2 run over the next 1:59 to lower the Blazers' lead to just one.

Belhaven would end the first half strong, though, scoring eight points in the final 29 seconds to lead 41-30 at the break.

Whatever was said in the locker room worked for LeTourneau, as they started the second half out strong.

The YellowJackets started the quarter on a 14-4 run, thanks to a pair of Weeks' 3-pointers and four from Espinosa.

Belhaven would answer, but the lead would be trimmed back down to six to begin the final period.

Once again, LeTourneau came out running, outscoring the Blazers 13-4 through the first five minutes. Kaylin Cervantes would net a tip-in bucket with 5:14 remaining to give the YellowJackets their first lead since early in the first. A pair of Covey free throws would extend the lead to three at 65-62.

Following this, though, all momentum fell in favor of Belhaven. The Blazers would score 12 points uninterrupted, and outscore the YellowJackets 17-4 through the final five minutes, securing a 79-69 victory.

Savannah Hailey led the Blazers with 11 points, 14 boards, and five steals.

UP NEXT

It's one more road game for LeTourneau before Thanksgiving, as the YellowJackets take on Rhodes on Tuesday, Nov. 25, and 3:00 p.m.

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