Rome Reporter

Berry College Athletic Department issued the following announcement on Jan. 28

The Berry Men's basketball team defeated Birmingham-Southern College 81-75 in a highly anticipated Southern Athletic Association match-up. The Vikings are now 14-2 overall and 5-1 in the conference. This win also gives the Vikings their fifth consecutive win, and second win over BSC this season.

The Vikings came out hot and ready to play in the first half, keeping BSC at bay. Austin Brooks gave Berry momentum early in the half, already distancing themselves from BSC.

The Panther' got within distance of the Vikings on the scoreboard but could not seem to capitalize when it counted.

Chase Ellis and Michael Johnson gave the Vikings hints of explosiveness that gave Berry an edge in scoring. Johnson and Ellis both led the team with nine points and four rebounds at the half. The Vikings were 51 percent in shooting and tacked on 20 rebounds in the first half and went into the locker room with a 45-31 lead.

Coming into the second half, Austin Brooks and Riley Costas put Berry up by 15 points, with BSC unable to give them any answers on offense. Johnson put the Vikings up even further with a layup. Slowly but surely, the Panthers crept back up, taking its first lead of the game at 68-67 with 4:30 left in the game. But that slight lead didn't last long thanks to Ellis with a layup. Johnson sealed the game with a three pointer putting the crowd on their feet, and the scoreboard at 76-68 with 90 seconds to go.

Berry Head Coach Trevor Lydic said, "I told them in the second half during that timeout that you're always going to face adversity, and it's how you respond to that adversity. I was proud that they came back and took the lead. Austin Brooks was awesome down the stretch, Michael Johnson hit a big three, and we were able to make some big stops to get some free throws."

The Vikings recorded 26 defensive rebounds, six of which came from Chase Ellis and an impressive five blocks.

Austin Brooks led the Vikings with 18 points and seven rebounds, Michael Johnson followed with 16 points and four rebounds.

Original source can be found here.