Jan 15, 2025
MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Berry Women's Basketball team took on in-state rival Oglethorpe this evening in the Cage Center, defeating them 66-57 to improve to 12-4 on the season and 2-1 in the SAA.
The night game was led by senior Kenadie Lee with 23 points and 9 rebounds, just one shy of a double-double with Sylvia Kahoro tagging in 12 points to aide.
Berry's 7-0 run to start the game ignited momentum in tonight's Pack the House game. With the first five points from Lee, the tone was set. Oglethorpe bounced back to bring the game back within a possession, but Berry continued to show out for the home crowd to be up seven at the end of the period (24-17).
Standout freshman Briaiah Lewis took the opening bucket of the second period, extending the lead to nine. After that the Petrels caught fire with three consecutive triples to crawl back within a matter of two and half minutes. Before the half the Vikings were able to hold on to their lead and both teams went scoreless in the final minutes.
Ten of Berry's second chance points came in the first half on their way to 21 points from offensive rebounds compared to the Petrels nine for the game. The first period was crucial in the paint, Berry outscored Oglethorpe 16-2 in the first ten minutes and continued the same routine in the second half.
With a few players in foul trouble, Oglethorpe was staying in the game off of free throws. The Vikings were able to hold of the Petrels in the third despite a valiant effort, heading into the final period Berry was up 53-47.
Elly Callihan tallied the only bucket for the Vikings in the opening 5 minutes of the fourth quarter. The slow start allowed Oglethorpe to build and bring the game to a one-point difference at 55-54. However, the home team locked in and refused to give up their lead that they had held all night and finished the final five minutes on an 11-3 run.
Berry will return to action on the road against the defending SAA Champions, Millsaps, this Saturday. Game time is set for 2:00 PM ET.