SPARTANBURG, S.C.- Time ran out on the Valkyries as Mount Olive steals away the win late on Saturday afternoon in a 68-67 decision. Converse stole the in-bounds pass but couldn't get a shot off as the buzzer sounded. Converse's bid for its first Conference Carolinas win fell at the hands of Mount Olive (6-10, 4-6 CC).
Converse (1-11, 0-9 CC) was led offensively by Margo Dill (Hilton Head, S.C.) scoring a career-high 28 points, 16 of those in the second half. Ashley Salagado (Ottumwa, Iowa) and Jakyra Washington (Durham, N.C.) chipped in nine points each. Hannah Anderson (Savannah, Ga.) scored a season-high six points off the bench.
Converse enjoyed holding a five point lead early in the first half. Midway through the half UMO went on a 12-0 run to take an 18-11 lead with 7:29 remaining. Jenna White (Fort Mill, S.C.) snapped the run hitting a triple from the corner. The Trojans would push the lead to 28-19 with just over four minutes remaining in the first stanza before settling at 34-26 heading into the break.
UMO would keep the margin around eight points with 12:36 remaining in the game. Converse cut into the deficit and took a five point lead after going on a 15-2 run over a stretch of 3:10. Dill posted five points during the run. Logan Hollis (Spartanburg, S.C.), Daijah Edmonds-Surratt (Spartanburg, S.C.), Washington and Salgado each converted a pair of free throws.
With things tied at 52-all Dill gave Converse a 56-52 lead hitting two free throws and a jumper. UMO hit a short jumper before Washington answered with a triple. Converse and Mount Olive traded free throws pushing the lead back to five (61-56) with 4:43 left.
The Trojans went on a 10-0 run to regain the lead at 66-61 and the cushion it needed to keep the Valkyries' final run one point short. Salgado went 1-2 from the line followed by Dill's pair at the line to cut it to a one possession game.
Converse fouled with 8.4 on the clock for one last shot at it. Trojans' Harris sunk both attempts to give them a 68-64 lead. Washington drained her second triple of the night from the right corner with 1.0 left on the clock. The Trojans ensuing in-bounds pass was stolen by Anderson but couldn't get off a shot before the buzzer sounded.
The Valkyries hit a season-high six treys. Converse also converted a season-high 91.3% from the charity stripe going 21-23 after going 20-36 (55.6%) against Erskine last game.
Converse assisted on 17 of the 20 made baskets. Washington led the charge with six followed by Salgado with five. The Valkyries also limited the turnovers finishing the game with 14, while UMO finished with 19. UMO altered the Valkyries in the paint blocking seven shots.
Mount Olive found most of its points in the paint finishing with 32 points and 29 second chance points. Converse cashed in off turnovers finishing with a 19-15 advantage and an 8-2 advantage off the fast break.
Converse returns to the hard court, Monday, January 19 against Belmont Abbey in another Conference Carolinas showdown. Tip-off is at 7pm.