MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Hendrix College men's basketball team suffered a 78-70 loss to Berry College in Southern Athletic Association competition at the Cage Center on Sunday afternoon.

The Warriors (10-13, 4-8) would trail by a large margin, catch back up, then trail again several times against the Vikings (5-18, 2-10). Hendrix is now in a tie with Sewanee for fifth place with two games to play before the SAA Tournament in Danville, Ky. beginning Feb. 28.

Berry jumped out to a 28-11 lead over the first 13:50 of the game. Hendrix ended the half on a 19-4 run to make the game 32-30 at halftime. The Vikings opened the second half with an 11-2 run to go back up 43-32. Hendrix fought back to take a 48-46 lead with 11:56 remaining. From there, the teams tied three times and exchanged leads on seven occasions before Berry took the a 58-57 lead on an Owen Jacobs basket with 6:50 to play. The home team held on to the lead the rest of the way, pushing it back out to 10 points with 1:28 left.

A three-point play by Warrior senior forward Colton Primm and a three-pointer from freshman guard Travis Garrett cut the deficit to 71-67 with 51 seconds left, but the Vikings made seven of eight free throws in the final minute to secure the win.

Hendrix shot 47.2 percent (25-of-53) from the field, 8-of-19 from outside and 12-of-19 at the free throw line. Berry shot 44.1 percent (26-of-59), 5-of-13 from three-point range and 21-of-33 at the line. The Warriors held a 37-33 edge in rebounds, but committed twice as many turnovers (22-11).

Sophomore guard Drew Nikolovski hit four three-pointers to lead the Orange & Black with 18 points. Primm recorded his sixth double-double of the year with 15 points and 11 boards and junior forward Luke Vance had 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Sophomore guard Jordan Barrett added 10 points. Alec Conard and Garrett each had six points off the bench.

Mac Whalen led Berry with 21 points, four assists and four steals and Hunter Smoak scored 20. Lee McCloud had 16 points, six boards and four steals and Jacobs finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds.

Hendrix will take on first place Center College in Danville, Ky. Friday night.