By Richalyn Miller for Berryvikings.com

ROME, Ga – Senior Megan Walsh and junior Mel McLean produced a big game for the Vikings Sunday afternoon helping Berry beat SAA opponent Hendrix College. The final score was 63-58.

Walsh had a big game totaling 16 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and one block and went 4-4 at the free throw line.

In their final home game of the regular season, the Vikings were able to make pivotal plays to hold off the Warriors in the second half.

In addition to Walsh, fellow seniors Pilar Smith and Maggie Trimble were honored after the game. 

"This senior class is really special. They were here as Berry Vikings when we had no conference, when there was no postseason and I was new," said Coach Stephanie Dunn. "We had no idea what direction we were going to take but they signed on because they loved Berry and they were willing to help build this program. To me, it speaks to their character and loyalty."

"Megan has the ability every game to really dominate in the paint and when she makes baskets and holds her own on the defensive end, like she did today, we're able to get a win and we were able to do that today against a very good Hendrix team," said Coach Dunn.

On her game performance Walsh said "It was a lot of fun. I knew what to expect and once the ball started going down, I was in the groove."

"To play in my final home game as a Viking is sad. I almost cried at the beginning of the game. It's also really exciting and that I made it through this journey—it's bittersweet," Walsh said.

In the first half, the Vikings hard work on defense was evident early on. They were able to hold the Warriors to just 28-percent from the field and created turnovers, producing seven steals. Berry shot 34-percent from the field, 33-percent from three-point range and 50-percent from the free throw line.

In the second half, Hendrix (11-12, 5-7) was able to come out and score, going just under 44-percent from the field and 64-percent from the free throw line.

 "I called a timeout and told the girls that this is a game of runs and that needed to be the end of Hendrix's run. I thought we stayed calm and kept our composure. We were able to get some big shots and big rebounds."

Caitlin Kriesel-Bigler and Taylor Neal were the Warriors' leading scorers for the game. Kriesel-Bigler had 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal. Neal had 11 points, three rebounds, one block and one steal.

For the game, the Vikings shot 38-percent from the field, 21-percent from three-point range, and 82-percent from the free throw line. They totaled 42 rebounds, while the Warriors had 40.

"I felt [as a team] we did what we really had to do to win. We knew we had to win the rebound battle and limit their post players with offensive rebounds and we had to make shots. Those were the three things we did really well today and that is why we were victorious," Coach Dunn said.

Berry (12-11, 5-7) visits Millsaps on Friday night at 7 p.m.