SALEM, Va. - Vikings Men's Basketball earned their first win of the season on the road against Southern Virginia with an 86-76 victory over the Knights, led by Jacob Morgan's 27 points.
From the tip, the Vikings and Jacob Morgan controlled the game with the first bucket. Three more Vikings added to the scoreboard for Berry in the first five minutes of the game going up 8-7 with a few traded buckets. A full scoreless two minutes went by until the 12:53 mark when Braxton Benham's jumper pushed them up by three, the Knights refused to go away as they answered with a three ball (10-10).
Eight minutes remaining until halftime, Southern Virginia captured their first lead of the night at 17-15, two free-throws from Morgan tied the contest. Unfortunately, Berry lost the lead again and fought from behind for going to halftime down by six, 42-36.
Opening up the second half with a quick six, head Coach Mick Hedgepeth's halftime speech seemed to be working. Leading scorer, Morgan took control and banged in a triple to take back their lead that they owned for most of the first half (47-46).
Braxton Benham's double-double benefited his team with 9 defensive rebounds and being the second leading scorer in the contest. His fast break layup came after brought a Vikings 12-3 run to an end.
Another three from Morgan, followed by a 7-0 run from the man himself, lifted his team up nine with 10-minutes remaining in regulation. Isaac Martin's back-to-back threes gave the team motivation and created the distance they needed at 16 to hold off the Knights for good.
Still hopeful, Southern Virginia continued to attack but a solid defensive effort from the Vikings earned them their first road win.
Berry advances to the winning side of the bracket and will play host, Roanoke tomorrow at 3:00 PM ET.