By MacKenzie Tuttle for Berryvikings.com

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. - - Imani Smith scored a career-high 20 points, but the Berry College women's basketball team fell to Covenant College, 69-62, in their season opener on Friday night.

The win was the first of the season for Covenant, moving their record to 1-0. The loss dropped the Vikes to 0-1.

Sinking three three-pointers, Smith's 20 points led the Viking offense. She shot 7-of-18 from the field paint and was 3-of-7 from the free throw line. She also grabbed eight rebounds for Berry.

Zarriah Pierce and Valerie McLure also scored double-digit points in the loss as well.

Pierce scored 16 points, sinking one three-pointer and making seven of her nine free throws. McLure added 10 points for BC, sinking four free throws, and shooting 4-for-7 on the night.
Pierce and McLure each added 14 and seven rebounds, respectively, for the Vikings' defense as well.

For the Scots, Aleigha Williams scored 14 points in the victory, shooting 7-for-18.

Covenant shot 46-percent (26-for-64) to Berry's 29-percent (21-of-72), while the Vikes collected 58 rebounds to the Scots' 40. Covenant led at halftime, 33-32.

"We had quite a few positives to take away from our season opener," said Berry Head Coach Stephanie Dunn. "There are some areas we need to improve on, too. I thought Zarriah and Imani both played well."

Berry will host Wesleyan (Ga.) College in their next game on Wednesday, November 18. The home-opener is slated for 6 p.m. at the Cage Center.