Chase Ellis and
Riley Costas each had a double-double,
Blake Campbell had a team-high 19 points, and Berry upset No. 16 Emory at the Emory Classic in Atlanta Friday afternoon. The win for the Vikings was the first for the men's basketball program over Emory in the program's D-III history.
Campbell, who has scored in double-figures in eight games and four in a row for the Vikings, came off the bench for BC and drained 11-of-13 free-throws, with five makes coming in the final 45 seconds. Berry (10-2) led for the entire second hlaf, and after
Bryce Clark's lay-up to open the scoring in the second 20 minutes, the Vikings never led by less than three points. Ellis and Campbell combined for 27 of Berry's 43 points in the second period.
With Berry's lead down to 55-52, Ellis scored four in a row to build the lead back to seven. After a free-throw by Emory (8-2),
Michael Johnson drained a shot from 3-point territory to get the lead up to nine, 62-53. Emory would connect on a 3-pointer on the other end, but Costas would score four in a row to make it 66-56 has the game entered the final four minutes.
Ellis would make the final shot from the field for the Vikings with 2:56 to go. From there, the Vikings would have to earn the win from the charity stripe. As a team, Berry went 11-of-14 as it pulled off the upset in Atlanta.
Costas finished the afternoon with 12 points and game-highs with 11 rebounds and seven assists. Ellis netted 16 and grabbed 10 boards. Johnson followed his 27-point performance against Piedmont with a dozen in the win over the Eagles.
The Vikings will return to action Friday when they travel to Millsaps to begin Southern Athletic Association play in earnest. Opening tip in Jackson, Miss., is set for 9 p.m. EST.