Women’s Basketball Drops Close Battle to Berry in Holiday Classic
Quakers’ strong start fades as Berry rallies late to secure a 56-54 victory.
from Angel Maldonado, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant
GREENSBORO, N.C. – In a nail-biter, the Guilford College women’s basketball team fell just short against Berry College, losing 56-54 on Sunday night at the Ragan-Brown Field House during the Springhill Guilford Holiday Classic. The defeat moves the Quakers to 8-3 overall as they look ahead to the new year.
The Quakers were led by Zoe Bayer (Les Sables d’Olonne, France), who delivered a team-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including a crucial layup in the final seconds to bring the Quakers within two. Bayer also added five rebounds and two steals. Briahna Scott (Graham, N.C.) contributed nine points, four steals, and two assists, while Skyler Furr (Warrenton, Va.) anchored the defense with four rebounds and a block. Courtney McMillan (Lexington, N.C.) added eight rebounds and five points, and Carleigh Perry (Faith, N.C.) chipped in eight points.
Spearheading the Vikings’ efforts was Sylvia Kahoro, who contributed 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting, along with one block and four rebounds. Briaiah Lewis added 12 points on an efficient 4-of-6 from the field, while also recording three assists and six rebounds. Elly Callihan notched nine points on 3-of-9 shooting and added an impressive 10 rebounds with one assist.
Guilford opened the game with intensity, outscoring Berry 18-10 in the first quarter. Bayer set the tone early with a mid-range jumper and a layup, while Scott added a critical three-pointer to extend the Quakers’ lead. Perry and McMillan controlled the boards, limiting Berry to just one shot per possession and forcing tough looks in the paint. Berry’s offense struggled to find rhythm against Guilford’s defensive pressure, with Kahoro and Callihan scoring the only field goals for the Vikings in the opening period.
Berry found their footing in the second quarter, outscoring Guilford 9-10 as the Vikings tightened their defense. Despite the Vikings’ push, Guilford managed to stay ahead thanks to timely scoring from Perry, who drained a three-pointer, alongside Julianna Walters (Taylorsville, N.C.), who added six points. The Quakers’ shooting from beyond the arc faltered, going just 1-of-7, but their defensive efforts kept Berry at bay. At halftime, Guilford clung to a 28-19 lead.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter, with Berry putting up 20 points to Guilford’s 12. Kahoro continued her stellar play, hitting two three-pointers, while Lewis contributed with strong post moves and rebounding on both ends. Guilford’s offense struggled, with nine turnovers allowing Berry to capitalize on fast-break opportunities. McMillan’s layup and a Jael Hall (Charlotte, N.C.) three-pointer provided some relief, but the Vikings’ late surge cut Guilford’s lead to just one point, 40-39, heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with Berry taking their first lead of the game early in the period. Kahoro delivered in the clutch, hitting a three-pointer to put Berry ahead 54-52 with under two minutes to play. Bayer responded for the Quakers with a driving layup to close the gap, but Berry’s defensive stops in the final seconds proved decisive. Two free throws by Kenadie Lee extended the Vikings’ lead to four, and despite a last-second effort by Guilford, Berry escaped with a narrow victory.
The Quakers will aim to bounce back when they return to ODAC play against Shenandoah University on Saturday, January 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 PM.
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