MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - Vikings Men's Basketball (2-3 overall) fell in their home opener to the Eagles of Emory University (3-1 overall) in today's contest, 90-72.

In the opening four minutes, Jordan Krueger notched two threes in a back and forth affair with the Eagles. With 14:26 still to go in the first half, the Vikings pushed up by six with consecutive layups by Bryce Clark and Chase Ellis. The Eagles began to claw their way back refusing to let the Vikings do any further damage. 

Berry held strong with their lead and let Emory get within one with a layup in the paint, but closing off their run the Vikings began one of their own in attempt to protect The Cage. At the 11:00 minute mark Clark's layup in the lane left Emory searching for an answer at 22-15.

In two minutes, the Eagles closed the gap with a 7-0 run in looks to claim a lead they had not had until the opening seconds of the game. Emory found that lead back with 6:30 left in the first half and began to create some distance of their own to close out the first half up by five  (42-37). 

Berry's eleven second chance points in the first 20 minutes were answered by 10 fast break points from the Eagles to even out the score. Emory topped Berry in the field shooting 58% compared to the Viking's 40%.

After halftime, points in the paint became the key to success. For the game, Emory outscored Berry in the paint 50-30 after the Vikings only trailed by six points in the paint at the half. Twenty-eight second half paint points stunned Berry as they looked to take their first home victory over the Atlanta team.

The 8-0 run to begin the second half caused trouble for the Vikings. Berry was unable to pull the game within eight points for the remainder of the game as the Eagles took the victory.

Berry returned to The Cage on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET against the Scots of Maryville College.