Memphis, Tenn. – After sweeping the Hendrix Warriors last weekend, the Berry College women's basketball team traveled to Rhodes where they fell just short, 64-62, in the first game of two for the weekend.

The Vikings (2-3, 2-3 SAA) had three to score in double figures with Sydney Blankenship leading the way with 19 points and six rebounds, while Mary Walters added 17 points and Jana Morning 15. For the Lynx (5-2, 5-2 SAA), Kiera Downey and Alexys Mathangani teamed up and scored 42 of their 64 points, with Downey scoring 22 and Mathangani 20.

As a team, Berry shot 31.0 percent (22-71) from the field and snagged 42 rebounds while Rhodes shot 44.2 percent (23-52).  The Vikings took advantage of 20 Lynx turnovers, scoring 18 points, but the Lynx bench prevailed and outscored the Vikings' 22-4.

The majority of the game consisted of a lot of back and forth scoring and keeping things close, with the second quarter proving to be an offensive showcase for both teams. At one point, the Lynx were able to pull ahead with a 12-point lead as they shot 57.1 percent (4-7) from the three-point line and 78.6 percent (11-14) from the field. On the flip side, the Vikings connected with 54.5 percent (6-11) from the three-point line make it a 39-37 game in Rhodes' favor at the half.

To start the second half, Berry took their first lead of the game following a good layup from Walters and a jumper soon after from Blankenship. Leading by two, the two teams battled hard on both sides of the ball for the remainder of the game. However, a block from Rhodes' Mathangani with three seconds left in the game secured their two-point lead and victory over Berry.  

The two face off again tomorrow in the final game of the series at 2 p.m. EST. 

To keep up with the latest Berry College women's basketball news, follow the team on Twitter @BerryVikings or @BerryWBB. 

*The photo used was taken in January 2020