Lake Graham had 13 points and the Berry men defeated visiting Covenant, 59-50, on Thursday night, at the Cage Center in the season-opener for both teams.

Two others scored in double digits for the Vikings.

Jake Wright had 12 points and seven rebounds, and Mac Whalen added 10 points, six assists and six boards.

After a shaky first half, the Vikings shot 62-percent (16-26) in the final frame to secure the win.

Berry, however, got off to a slow start before its home crowd. Covenant was ahead 31-22 at the break and led by as many as 12 points in the opening period.

It was a different story in the second half. The Vikings scored the first 11 points of the period and led 35-31 after Whalen drained a three-pointer with 15:22 remaining.

Jonathan Abrams made two free throws with 1:51 left to give Berry its biggest lead, 58-45, of the contest.

“I think the slow start was just first-game nerves,” said BC Head Coach Jeff Haarlow. “We relaxed, slowed down played the way we are capable of in the second half.”

For the game, the Vikings shot 50 percent (23-46) to 29-percent (19-49) for Covenant. The Vikings won the battle of the boards, 30-27.

Callum Sears and Colton McGriff paced the Scots with 10 points apiece. Sears, however, was held scoreless in the second half.

Berry plays at LaGrange on Saturday at 8 p.m.