SPARTANBURG, S.C.- Three possessions midway through the second half took a three point game to a double-digit deficit for the Valkyries in a 71-52 loss against #10 regionally ranked Emmanuel (Ga.) on Saturday afternoon.
With Converse (1-9, 0-7 CC) down 37-34 with 12:05 remaining in the second half, two missed shots and a turnover gave Emmanuel (10-2, 6-2 CC) a 10 point advantage less than two minutes later. The Lions would push its lead to 20 with 2:05 remaining before taking the game 71-52.
Margo Dill (Hilton Head, S.C.) was the only Valkyrie in double-digits scoring 14 points off 7-14 shooting from the floor. Dill led the charge on the glass as well grabbing five boards. Logan Hollis (Spartanburg, S.C.) scored eight points off the bench and grabbed four caroms and two blocks. Erin Horne (Orlando, Fla.) and Christhea Mitchell (Jacksonboro, S.C.) chipped in seven points apiece.
The first 27:55 of the game the Valkyries kept it close with the Lions exchanging blows in the first half. Neither team could grab more than a three point advantage in the half. Converse trailed the entire half before going on a 6-0 run to end the half and take a 22-19 into the break. Horne, Hollis and Dill tallied a lay-up during the run. Dill led the charge with eight points at the break.
Coming out of the locker room, Converse and Emmanuel continued to exchange blows seeing the score tied for the tenth time. An Emmanuel triple by Georgia Jones gave the Lions a three point lead and kept in front for the remainder of the game. Emmanuel shot 58.3% in the second half to pull away.
Converse's offense lacked shooting 32.7% from the floor and 20% from behind the arc. Emmanuel used 14 second chance points and 19 points off turnovers to keep the distance. Emmanuel outrebounded Converse 45-33 with the advantage going to the Lions on the defensive glass grabbing 34 boards.
Converse heads on the road Tuesday, January 13 to face Erskine at 5:30pm. Follow the game on Twitter @Valkyrie_Sports and @ValkyrieWBB.
--Go Valkyries--