ROME, Ga. -- The Berry College men's basketball team played one of its best games of the year, but the Vikings lost to Birmingham-Southern, 53-50, on Sunday. 

Berry fell to 5-20 and 2-12 in Southern Athletic Association games. BSC improved to 18-7, 10-4.

Devan Bruce had 11 points and Jonathan Abrams added 10 for Berry. Abrams hit an off-balance three-pointer with 15 seconds to cut the score to 51-50. Abrams then committed his fifth foul and Panther Blaise White made both free throws to push the lead to three points.

Mac Whalen and Bruce both took game-tying shots in the final seconds, but both were off target.

The Vikings got off to a hot start. Berry led 22-8 after a Mac Whalen jumper with 9:33 left in the first half. An old fashioned three-point play by Abrams gave the home team its biggest, lead, 25-10, with 5:40 left in the half. The Vikes held a 28-23 lead at halftime.

The visitors, however, went on an 8-2 run to start the second half and took its first lead, 31-20, with 16:46 remaining. 

Larry Thomas netted a game-best 18 points for the Panthers. BSC was 15-19 from the free throw line in the game.

Prior to the game, seniors Abrams (pictured left) and Cory Marsh were recognized for senior day. Marsh started and had five points for BC.

"I was very proud of the team as they did everything we asked of them," said Interim Head Coach Derek Taylor. "We played to win the game and I was very happy with the performance."

Berry, the eighth seed, will play at #1 Centre College on Friday in the first round of the SAA tournament.