MOUNT BERRY, Ga. – The Berry College Vikings earn their fifth win in conference play and extend their win streak to three following the victory against the Hendrix Warriors with a final score of 51-42, bringing their overall record to 15-5.
Defense was a priority tonight as Berry held Hendrix to an impressive 11 percent from beyond the arc and 28 percent from the field. They also capitalized in transition, 20 of their 51 points coming off of turnovers.
Hendrix came into The Cage Center looking to split the season series, but Berry was locked in from the opening tip. They began with 14 unanswered points driven by eight from Elly Callihan. The Vikings as they continued to pile it on with a layup from Sylvia Kahoro, giving them their largest lead for the game of 16 points. On defense, the tone for the game was set by an incredible forced turnover almost a minute into the game. From there, Berry put on a clinic, getting it done in transition leading to a 20-7 advantage to end the first quarter.
The Warriors began with the ball in the second quarter, but between both teams, the first bucket would not be scored until the 7-minute mark. Callihan got the scoring started for the Vikings with her third three of the contest. The defense picked up right where they left off, keeping the Warriors off the board until 5 minutes were left in the quarter. The Warriors cut the lead down to seven with a minute to go until halftime, but the Vikings made up for it. A step back jumper from Sylvia Kahoro brought the lead back to 11 to close the half 31-20.
The second half promised more of the same as Berry scored their first points for the half at the line. The defense was on full display as Jayda Wood scored the only field goal the Vikings would have for the quarter. Both teams shot a combined 22 percent. Both teams hurried out in transition, running up and down the floor. Bodies hit the ground as the Vikings drew fouls and dove for loose balls. To someone who misses the 90s, it might have been exhilarating to watch. In a quarter filled with free throws, Kahoro had the last one, bringing the score to 38 to end the quarter up by 10 points.
The Hendrix Warriors had to overcome a 10 point advantage going into the fourth quarter to have a chance at busing bask to Arkansas with a win, and in a last ditch effort, they managed to get the deficit back down from beyond 10, but whenever they did so, Briaiah Lewis answered, forcing her way inside and nailing clutch layups. The lowest Hendrix could bring the deficit to was seven points with 1:33 to go in the game, but Jeryn Jarret shut down any potential come back, draining a three. After playing the foul game, the Vikings came out the victor, the final score 51-42.
The Vikings will suit up once again to take on the Rhodes College Lynx 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at the Cage Center.