BEREA, Ky. - The Berea College men's basketball team's season came to an end in the first round of the CCS tournament in double overtime against Piedmont University Lions. The final score was 86-80.

The Mountaineers finish the 2022-2023 season with a 15-11 overall record and 7-5 in Collegiate Conference play. This is the Mountaineers' first winning season since the 2016-17 campaign.

Despite falling short, Berea had four players in double-figures. Leading the Mountaineers was senior Isaac Caudill who shot 50% from the three (5-10) and scored 20 points while also grabbing six boards. Freshman Bryce Riley scored a career-high of 18 points along with eight rebounds and five steals. Sophomores Marquis Mackey and Jarel Montgomery also chipped in 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Piedmont started the game off with an 8-0 run, but after Caudill's three-pointer, Berea started their own 8-0 run. Going into halftime Caudill hit another three-pointer to extend their lead to eight. The second half consisting of a lot of trading basketballs between the teams, and it came down to Bryce Riley's two free-throws to tie the ball game at 60-60 causing the first overtime. Devin Dean for the Lions scored a lay-up with a 1:07 left on the game clock, tying the contest at 70-70 causing another overtime. Unfortunately, the Mountaineers could not overcome the Lions' 7-0 run at the start of double overtime.

To lead Piedmont to the victory was Ryan Jolly with 37 points and 12 rebounds. Also helping the Lions was Devin Dean with 20 points and 14 boards. Piedmont's 82% from the charity stripe and Berea's 65% helped them move past the Mountaineers