ROME, Ga. - Tim Miles scored a game-high 23 points and Berry College never trailed in an 81-71 victory over Piedmont Thursday at the Cage Center.

The Vikings (7-5) immediately took control of the contest, opening a 10-point lead less than six minutes into the game.  Berry led by as many as 21 points in the first half before taking a 44-26 advantage at halftime.

The lead grew to 26 points when Miles hit a jumper with 16:18 remaining that made the score 56-30.  Piedmont (6-8) whittled its deficit down to 10 points on two occasions in the final minute.

The Vikings built their lead with strong outside shooting and by taking advantage of the Lions on the boards.  Berry hit 7-of-14 three-point shots in the first half, and outrebounded Piedmont 24-13 in the first 20 minutes.

Berry head coach Jeff Haarlow said his team also showed grit when Piedmont had the ball.

"I thought our defensive intensity in the first half was very solid," Haarlow said.

For the game, Berry shot 46 percent from the field, including 40 percent from 3-point territory, and held a 43-28 advantage in the rebounding column.

"We came out very focused," Haarlow said. "Our players played well and executed."

Miles also grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists for the Vikings.  He scored 14 of his points in the first half, when he was 5-for-7 from the field, including 3-for-4 from 3-point territory.

Miles was joined in double figures by Mac Whalen, who scored 15 points, and David Holloman, who added 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in just 19 minutes.  No Berry player saw more than 27 minutes of action in the game.

Kevin Kubandi led Piedmont with 17 points.  He was joined in double figures by Michal Ross, who scored 14 points, and Tracey Gardner and Daniel Lampl, who chipped in 10 apiece.

Berry returns to action Saturday at Young Harris College, in the second game of a women's/men's doubleheader between the schools.  The women's game tips off at 2 p.m., with the men's game following.

- BerryVikings.com -