BELMONT, N.C.- Converse couldn't overcome a slow start in the first half, as the Valkyries fell to Belmont Abbey in Conference Carolinas action on Saturday evening, 72-57.
Converse (2-17, 1-15 CC) had two in double-figures, Jakyra Washington (Durham, N.C.) led the team with 13 points while Erin Horne (Orlando, Fla.) scored 10 points on 3-4 shooting from the floor. Christhea Mitchell (Jacksonboro, S.C.) chipped in nine points, seven of those in the second half.
Converse (2-17, 1-15 CC) didn't let a pregame technical foul stop the Valkyries from coming out strong. Despite being down 5-1 after the Belmont Abbey (15-8, 11-6) free throws and a three pointer, Converse rallied back to tie things up at five just two minutes into the game. Logan Hollis (Spartanburg, S.C.) gave the Valkyries a 7-5 lead with a lay-up.
Belmont Abbey retook the lead after going on a short 5-0 run to take the lead 10-7. The Valkyries would keep things tight making things a two possession game before a Crusader triple pushed things out to a 21-13 advantage sparking a 11-2 run. A Washington three haulted the Crusader run with 3:53 remaining in the half.
Kassidy Moorhouse (Anderson, S.C.) hit back-to-back threes down the floor to cut into the Crusader lead with 2:20 remaining in the first stanza. Moorhouse finished the game with seven points and five rebounds.
Abbey ended the first half on a 7-1 run to take a 43-25 advantage into the locker room.
Converse outscored Belmont Abbey in the second half 32-29 but the first half deficit was too large. The Crusaders offense shot 56.8% from the floor and hit six triples. Converse shot 42.9% in the second half after shooting 30% in the first half.
The Valkyries was slightly outrebounded 30-29 by the Crusaders despite grabbing 13 offensive rebounds. Abbey tallied 20 assists on 25 made baskets. Converse's defense turned it up a notch in the second half turning Abbey over 16 times and 28 for the contest.
Converse returns home for a four-game homestand taking on Brevard, Monday, February 9. Tip-off is slated for 7pm.