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Visiting Berry College bolted out to a 13-0 lead and held on to defeat Pfeiffer University 77-75 in a nonconference men’s basketball game on Sunday afternoon at Merner Gym.

The Vikings came out of the gate hot, going on a 13-0 run over the first 3:05 of the game that was capped by an Austin Brooks layup. Pfeiffer senior Craig Sabb (Goose Creek, S.C.) stopped the drought with a basket at 16:31 for first points of the game for the Falcons.

Pfeiffer responded, closing to within 16-14 at 13:34 on a Sean Scott (Waldorf, Md.) score, but Berry extended their lead to as many as 18 points (45-27) with 52 seconds remaining in the half.  Pfeiffer’s Sam Daigle (Charlotte, N.C.) knocked down a three-pointer with 28 seconds left in the half to provide the 45-30 halftime margin.

After being down as many as 21 points in the second half (62-41), the Falcons started chipping away, trimming the Viking lead to just three points (75-72) with 18 seconds remaining following a Dorian Miles (Greenville, S.C.) three-pointer, one of three he hit on the afternoon.

Berry’s Chase Ellis hit a pair of free throws with 10 seconds to go, Miles was able to hit a three pointer at the buzzer to provide the 77-75 final.

Pfeiffer was led by Sabb’s 15 points, as he was a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line and shot 5-of-9 from the field.  Jerome Savoy (Waldorf, Md.) hit a pair of three pointers and had two assists, a steal and a block to go along with 14 points.

Miles closed the game with 14 points on a 5-of-7 effort that included three from long range while teammate D.J. Bradsher (Burlington, N.C.) had 12 points.  Miles also was the top rebounder for Pfeiffer, finishing with eight.

The loss drops Pfeiffer to 1-1 on the season while Berry improves to 2-0.

Pfeiffer will return to play on Wednesday for an exhibition game at Division II Francis Marion University. Tipoff from Florence, S.C. is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.