MOUNT BERRY, Ga.— Michael Johnson put up 32 points setting a new career high for the Berry men's basketball team as they dominated Centre College 83-62 Sunday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Southern Athletic Association Men's Basketball Championship in The Cage Center.

Chase Ellis started a 9-0 run within the first two minutes of the game to put Berry ahead early on. Throughout the first half Centre fought to tighten the difference and tied the game at 22-22 with 9:41 on the clock. The Colonels kept the game close until Blake Campbell, Ellis, and Johnson scored 15 points collectively on a run bringing the score to 42-27 with four minutes remaining. The Vikings headed into the locker room at the half with a comfortable 15 point lead at the half. 

"I'm really thankful for my coach and my teammates for setting me up well to put me in the position to do something like that," said Johnson. "I'm more happy that we won."

Berry kept a consistent double-digits lead throughout the second half never giving the Colonels a chance to make a comeback. The Vikings took the lead to 20 as Braxton Benham drove in a layup bringing the score to 52-32. As Johnson made a layup with 3:03 on the clock, the Vikings recorded their biggest lead of 24 points and closed the scoring for Berry. 

Johnson made eight three-pointers contributing to his 32 point career high. Three other players scored in double-figures for Berry with Benham and Campbell with 10, and Ellis had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

Berry will host semifinals of the SAA Championships Saturday with the Vikings against Birmingham Southern with a start time of 3 p.m.