ATLANTA – Six Stormy Petrels hit double digits as Oglethorpe topped the Southern Athletic Association-leading Berry Vikings 98-90 Wednesday night. Malachi Dooley led with 24 points.

Perry Robinson followed with 19 points and six rebounds, and Dylan Pumpian had 15 points and four assists. Jackson Kemp had his second double-double of the season with 14 points, 11 rebounds and a season high of six assists. Mason Kemp posted 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Jordan James added 13 points. 

"That was our best win of the year and our most well-played game of the year," said Head Coach Philip Ponder. "We are really playing our best basketball right now. We had a bad first week of the season where we lost three one-possession games, but since then we won six of our last eight and five of our last six."

Oglethorpe began the game with layups from Robinson and J. Kemp, and Berry was constantly close behind. Robinson, Dooley and Pumpian combined for a 14-2 run halfway through the first period. This 25-13 lead cemented the Vikings' fate on the blacktop. Berry made strides toward a comeback, but Oglethorpe headed into halftime up 43-33.

Robinson kicked off the second half with a layup, then Dooley, J. Kemp and Pumpian quickly combined for a 58-40 lead. Once again, Berry made attempts to dethrone the Petrels, but they were unsuccessful. Oglethorpe defeated the SAA frontrunner 98-90 as the conference championship waits around the corner.

"We're going to look to finish strong Friday night and then continue our momentum into the postseason," Ponder continued. "I really like the way we are playing on both ends of the court right now."

Game Notes

• Oglethorpe has now defeated conference frontrunners two games in a row, beating then-leader Sewanee 103-100 last weekend. 
• J. Kemp's double-double was his second of the season and third of his career.
• Willard Thompson made his first collegiate block and a season high of six rebounds.
• The score only tied twice during the game, and there were only two lead changes, all in the early going.
• Robinson was named SAA athlete of the week at the beginning of this week.
• The Petrels recorded a 72% free throw percentage.

Up Next

Oglethorpe's final game of the regular season will be at home on Friday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. against Millsaps. The Stormy Petrels will celebrate senior night along with Valentine's Day. The SAA tournament will begin on Feb. 23, with brackets to be determined.