GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - Southwestern Men's Basketball battled back from a 13-point deficit in the second half, ultimately coming inches short in a home SAA loss to Berry College, 79-77. The loss bring the Pirates overall record to 6-7, while falling to 0-2 in conference play against two strong opponents. 

The mood looked bleak for the Pirates down 13 points with 12 minutes left to play. However, Southwestern clawed back to tie the game at 77 on a deep three ball from junior Zach Gomez with 20 seconds remaining. On the other end, Southwestern committed a crucial shooting foul to send the Vikings to the line with seconds remaining. Berry converted two of three free throws. 

The Pirates charged the floor in transition and got fouled with an opportunity to the game. Unfortunately, Southwestern missed the free throws and dropped a nail-bitter. Five different Pirates cracked double-figures in scoring including senior Shobby Enakpene (19), sophomore Aedan Lewis (17), junior Zach Shugars (15), junior Zach Gomez (11), and freshman Neo Franco (10). 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• The Pirates matched up with the Vikings for the first time in conference with the last meeting in 2019. The Pirates won the matchup 79-50. 
• Head coach Matt Striech started junior Luke Mills, Enakpene, Gomez, Shugars, and Lewis tonight. 
• Both teams traded blows to start the game, but the Vikings found a 26-19 lead with under ten minutes left. 
• The Vikings extended the lead to 33-23, earning strong paint touches. However, Southwestern clawed back with a pivotal 8-2 run to enter the half down four. 
• Southwestern uncharacteristically did not record a triple in the first half going 0-7. 
• Berry caught fire to start the half building a 58-45 lead with 12 minutes to play. 
• Franco began to find his groove, cutting the deficit to 64-57 with back-to-back paint driving layups. 
• Southwestern got to the line 27 times tonight as Shugars and Lewis both got down hill consistently. 
• Shugars knocked down a three and Franco converted a tough three-point play to pull within three under three minutes to play. 
• Senior Luke Mills buried two big free throws, followed by a Pirates stop with under one minute to play. 
• With only 20 seconds remaining Gomez knocked down an NBA distance three-pointer to tie the game. 
• The Vikings made two of three free throws on the other end as the Pirates fouled a shooter. The Pirates drove the distance with four seconds left and the Vikings committed an aggressive shooting foul. 
• Mills missed both free throws, intentionally missing the second which sealed a 79-77 loss. 

GAME NOTES

• Both teams were efficient offensive as the Vikings finished 48% from the field, while the Pirates went 45%. Both teams combined for only 14 turnovers. 
• Enakpene was battling an injury once again, totaling 19 points in only 23 minutes. 
• Lewis displayed a ton of grit tonight with a season-high 17 points and six boards. 
• Shugars turned 15 points on a team-leading eight boards. 
• Southwestern finished with a different statline tonight with 15 three-point attempts, knocking down only four opposed to the 48 against Trinity. 
• However, Southwestern made up for the scoring with 32 points in the paint and 17 made free throws. 

UP NEXT
Southwestern stays at home on Sunday to battle Oglethorpe University at 1 p.m.