By MacKenzie Tuttle for Berryvikings.com 

ROME, Ga. -- Led by Valerie McLure's 15 points, the Berry College women's basketball team topped Oglethorpe University, 52-49, in their Southern Athletic Association opener on Friday night. 

The Vikings advanced to 5-3 overall and 1-0 in the SAA. The Stormy Petrels fell to 4-4 and 0-1. 

McLure was 7-for-13 in the field. She also grabbed four rebounds and one steal for the Vikes.

Emma Cook posted ten points in the win. Cook shot 3-of-7 from the field and was 4-of-8 from the free throw line. She also grabbed eight rebounds and passed four assists. 

Nia Smith rounded out the Berry scoring effort with nine points of her own. Smith was 3-of-7 in the field and shot 3-for-4 from the free throw line. 

Berry earned their first lead with a little over two minutes into the game and maintained a 19-14 halftime lead. 

The third quarter started with six unanswered Oglethorpe baskets, giving the Stormy Petrels a 20-19 lead. 

The Vikings answered with a little less than eight minutes left in the third quarter and led the rest of the game. 

Oglethorpe kept it close though, however, after cutting the score to 47-46 with just over two minutes to play in the game. 

A Peyton Howell lay-up, followed by two Howell free throws with less than twenty seconds left ensured the Berry victory. Howell also had a key block in the last minute.

For the Stormy Petrels, Emily Buck scored 14 points. Buck was 4-for-18 from the field, made one three-pointer, grabbed four rebounds and had three steals in the loss. 

Berry shot 34.5-percent (19-of-55) to Oglethorpe's 24.7-percent (18-of-73). 

The Vikings also led the game in rebounds (48-47) and assists (16-6). Oglethorpe led the game in steals (13-5) and had only 11 turnovers to Berry's 17. 

"This game was a good defensive battle, which I'm glad we were a part of," said Berry Head Coach Stephanie Dunn. "It's great for our team to win a defensive game, and to start out conference play with a win."

BC will play N.C. Wesleyan in their next game on Sunday, Dec. 13. Game time is 2 p.m. in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.