MOUNTAINEERS BOUNCE BACK AFTER A CLOSE LOSS WITH TWO CONFERENCE WINS

Game 1: Berea Dominates Earlham at Home 94-77
Location: Berea, KY
The Berea College men's basketball team delivered an impressive performance against Earlham, securing a 94-77 victory at home. The first half was marked by a strong shooting display from Earlham, but after a key coaching adjustment by head coach Austin Newton, the Mountaineers took command. Bryce Riley showcased his shooting prowess from beyond the arc, while Demetris Phillips dominated in the paint, helping Berea build a 15-point lead. Nathaniel Barrow contributed to this surge, pushing the score to 46-29 right before halftime.

After the break, Ja'Rel Montgomery and Trey Minter hit three-point shots, with Minter going on to hit a total of 6 three-pointers during the game before the reserves were brought in to relieve the starters. Demetris Phillips shone defensively, finishing with 4 blocks and 11 rebounds. Additionally, Cobi Commodore scored his first varsity points of the season, and Bryce Riley ended the night hitting 3-of-4 from three-point range.

Game 2: Another Road Win Against Manchester 79-65
Location: Manchester, IN
In their next game, the Mountaineers traveled to Indiana and emerged victorious against Manchester, winning 79-65. Despite not having the cleanest performance, Berea managed to secure the win. Both Bryce Riley and Demetris Phillips contributed significantly, scoring 19 points each without committing any turnovers. Riley added 4 assists, 1 block, and 3 steals, while Phillips pulled down 11 rebounds and sank 7 free throws. Though Berea struggled from three-point territory, shooting just 5-of-26 (19.2%), they effectively restricted their opponent's shooting opportunities and forced 17 turnovers.



Summary:
Records for Week: 2 wins, 0 losses
Key Players: Bryce Riley, Demetris Phillips, Trey Minter
Upcoming Games: Berea will face Mount St. Joseph on Wednesday, January 15 and Bluffton on Saturday, January 18.