Berry College's men's basketball team cut a 14-point deficit to just two points with two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the game, but host Maryville College held on to defeat the Vikings 70-62 Wednesday in Maryville, Tenn.

Maryville (14-8) took a 50-36 lead when Oscar Butler rattled the rim with a dunk with 15:37 remaining in the game, but afterward the Vikings slowly began clawing back into the contest.

Berry (2-18) pulled to within 59-55 when Lake Graham scored on a layup with 3:17 in the game, but the Scots' Wes Lambert answered with a 3-pointer 16 seconds later to put Maryville back ahead ahead by seven.

The momentum then seemed to shift to the Vikings, as Graham came back with another bucket and Berry guard Nasser Almulla drilled a 3-point shot to pull the Vikings to within a basket at 62-60 with 2:31 remaining.

Maryville would answer with a layup and five consecutive free throws to put the game away and end the Vikings' modest two game win streak.

For the second time in three games, the Vikings outrebounded their opponents, holding a 40-38 advantage on the boards.  However, Berry victimized itself,committing 19 turnovers, compared to nine by Maryville.

Berry Jonathan Abrams came off the bench to score a game high 17 points for the Vikings.  Abrams connected on 7-of-14 shots from the field, including 3-of-7 from 3-point territory.

He was joined by three teammates in double figures, including a pair who recorded double-doubles. 

Mac Whalen finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Graham added 13 points and 10 boards.

Almulla finished with 12 points.

Milton Stanley led the Scots with 15 points, and Lambert chipped in 13.

The Vikings are scheduled to return to action Saturday, when they host LaGrange at 4 p.m.

- BerryVikings.com -