By Matthew D. Stokes
BerryVikings.com Staff Writer

ROME, Ga. – Mac Whalen scored a game-high 19 points, but Berry could not overcome four Shorter players in double figures as the Hawks, ranked No. 1 in the nation in the NAIA, defeated the Vikings 76-60 in front of a packed Cage Center on Thursday night.

After a 44-point debacle earlier this season at Shorter's Winthrop-King Centre, Berry stayed within single digits of the visitors for eight-plus minutes before falling in a deeper hole. It did not help the Vikings that Shorter shot a blistering 50 percent in the first half while Berry managed to convert on only 18.8 percent of its attempts. When all was said and done, Shorter left the court at halftime leading by 19.

"Right from the very get-go, Shorter's size and athleticism was a big mountain for us to climb," said Berry head coach Jeff Haarlow. "I can never fault how hard we competed, though."

When play resumed, Shorter did not let up, extending its lead to as many as 31 points. A major factor in its dominance was the work the Hawks did rebounding-wise. Shorter held a 51-27 edge on the boards, including a 16-8 advantage on the offensive glass.

Berry did not put its head down, putting a sizable run of its own together, tallying 17 unanswered points before Shorter was forced to return several starters to the game.

"Obviously Mac had a big-time second half for us," said Haarlow of Whalen's 17 points in the final 20 minutes after scoring just two points in the first half.

In addition to Whalen's output, Michael Schulte finished with 11 points while Jonathan Abrams came off the bench to chip in 10.

Shorter's Walter Hill had his usual stellar stat line with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Anthony Banks recorded 16 points with nine boards; Darius Steger was responsible for 14 points; and C.J. Davis tallied 10 points off the bench.

Berry completes its road schedule this Saturday when it faces off against Young Harris College at 4 p.m.

"To play the No. 8 team in the nation (in Division III, Birmingham-Southern) Tuesday, the No. 1 team (in the NAIA) tonight and then to go on the road to face an extremely good team is a tall task," Haarlow said. "Hopefully we'll answer the bell on Saturday at 4 p.m."

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