Spartanburg SC-- Ashley Arff's 21 total points and Alaina Smith's 20 points helped hold the Bobcats off in tonight's game in Converse's Hannah Gym. The Valkyries managed to run away in scoring and the Bobcats returned enough to see 4 lead changes and 3 ties throughout the bout in this turnover riveted game won on fast breaks and points-in-the-paint.
Converse got out in front quick with an 8-0 run until LMC's Courtney Furr grabbed a field goal on a fast break. The Bobcats managed to catch up and tied with a good free throw from Amber Coleman. The teams traded shots until a 16-16 tie which resulted in a LMC 0-7 run. The Valkyries came back to leave the half down by one at 25-26.
The Valkyries got ahead by one with Sydney Brown's early field goal and eventually Converse was ahead by 10 points, 41-31 at 15:39. For the remainder of the game, Converse managed to stay ahead by 8 points and at one point gained a lead of 13. The game ended with Alaina Smith's final goal at the charity stripe which left only 4 seconds on the clock and the Bobcats down by 10, 65-75.
The Valkyries held the edge in field goal shooting (43% - 33%), defensive rebounding (70% - 58%), and offensive rebounding (41% - 29%). Lees-McRae edged out Converse at the charity stripe (84% - 63%).
For the Bobcats, Lauren Casey led with 19 total points and 8 rebounds (6-6 in free throws). Amber Coleman followed with 12 points and 4 rebounds.
Converse was led by Ashley Arff who scored 21 total points and had 7 rebounds along with 3 assists. Alaina Smith put up 20 more points and pulled down 8 rebounds. Sydney Brown added 12 points to the board.
This win advances the Valkyries to 3-13 overall (3-8 league) and Lees-McRae drops to 6-9 overall (3-7 conference). Converse plays again at home on Saturday against St. Andrews Presbyterian College. Tip-off is set for 2:00pm.