LEXINGTON, Va. -- Caleb Johnson tied for game-high honors with 26 points, but the Berry College men's basketball team dropped its season opener, 89-86 to Washington & Lee, on Sunday afternoon.

Freshman Blake Scherrman added 22 points for the visitors. Scherrman was four-of-eight from the field, made two 3-pointers and converted all 12 of his free throws. 

Clayton Murtha led three Generals who reached double-digits with 26 points. He was 10-of-14 shooting and grabbed a game-best 11 rebounds.

The Vikings led early at 7-5, but trailed at halftime, 47-36. Johnson tallied 22 of his points in the second half as BC made a late run. He stole the ball and made a basket with 5:13 remaining to tie the game at 72. 

W&L (1-0) recorded the game's next seven points before Berry mounted one final run. 

Freshman Kahlil Newkirk made a layup with 10 seconds left to trim the deficit to 87-86. The Vikes then fouled Andy Kleinlein (16 points, 11-of-12 free throws). He made two free throws to push the lead to 89-86. Johnson attempted an off-balance three-pointer with one second left, but the shot missed.

Berry shot 51-percent (26-51) to the Generals' 44-percent (27-61). W&L won the battle of the boards, 46-23, and led in second-chance points, 18-4.

The teams combined for 84 free throw attempts. BC made 29-of-41 to W&L's 28-of-43.

The Vikings (0-1) host LaGrange College on Wednesday night at 8 p.m.