ROME, Ga. - Rust College used a 19-6 run over a five-and-a-half minute stretch in the second half to open an insurmountable lead and eventually defeat Berry College 76-64 Friday at the Cage Center.

The Vikings trailed 48-43 after Jonathan Abrams hit a jumper with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game before Rust reeled off 10 consecutive points in just under three minutes of play.  The lead would reach 18 about three minutes later when Rust's Markeith Wilson nailed a three-point shot to make the score 67-49, and the Bearcats cruised from there.

"I guess tonight's game is just one we have to learn from and move on," Berry head coach Jeff Haarlow said.  "We've had three straight games where we've been outrebounded. We can't do that and be successful.  Our transition defense just killed us tonight.

Tim Miles led Berry with 19 points, marking the 12th time in the team's 16 games this season that the senior guard from Marietta has led the team in scoring.  David Holloman added 16 points for Berry.

Rust's Jahrell Holmes led all players with 27 points.  Wilson added 18 and Marcus Erves chipped in 10.

"The way we played, we let them feel good about what they were doing," Haarlow said.  "We let them be athletic against us.  They did a good job, and they really played well.  They were a lot better than they were in our first game against them.  We lost to a good team tonight."

Rust defeated Berry 80-74 on November 18 in Birmingham-Southern College's Black Tie Tournament.

Berry returns to action Monday against Shorter at 8 p.m., at the Cage Center.

- BerryVikings.com -