SPARTANBURG, S.C.- For the first time since the program was reinstated (1998), Converse has started the basketball season off 1-0. The Valkyries defeated Bob Jones (2-5) 59-50 on Saturday afternoon to secure its first win of the season under Coach Beth Couture, tying last season's mark.
Converse received scoring from eight different Valkyries, three of which were in double-figures. Margo Dill (Hilton Head, S.C.) led the team with 14 points. Erin Horne (Orlando, Fla.) chipped in 11 with Yashee Johnson (West Columbia, S.C.) scoring 10 points.
Converse (1-0) extended the lead out of the break to seven, 40-33 off a Logan Hollis (Spartanburg, S.C.) jumper. Hollis finished the game with four points, two boards and a block. Hollis' block would come at the 11:58 mark denying Bruins Delaney of the basket.
The Valkyries would push the lead out to 46-37 on a Horne fast break lay-up at the 8:44 mark of the second half. Converse would keep the lead hovering around double-digits for the remainder of the game seeing the lead swell to 12 after Dill sinks a three with 6:41 to go, 52-40.
Johnson got the Valkyries on the board to start the game with a jumper at the top of the elbow. Bob Jones (2-5) went on a seven point run to take a 7-2 lead less than three minutes into the game. The two teams battled back in forth in the first half having the score tied six times.
With time winding down in the first half, Horne hits a floater at the buzzer to send the Valkyries into the locker room with a 27-24 lead.
Converse would outshoot the Bruins 37.1% to 31.4% on the game. The Valkyries caused the Bruins to commit 26 turnovers, swiping 12 steals. Ashley Salgado (Ottumwa, Iowa) led the team with four steals and five assists. Converse scored 15 points off turnovers.
Both teams grabbed 46 boards in the game, with the advantage going to Converse on the offensive glass. The Valkyries used the offensive glass for nine second chance points and posting 22 points in the paint. Dill and Johnson led the way on the glass grabbing eight rebounds apiece. Dill had five offensive boards.
The Valkyries head up the road to USC Upstate, Tuesday Nov. 18. Tip-off is slated for 7 pm. You can watch the game on ESPN 3.