SPARTANBURG, S.C.- Four double-figure scorers for the Valkyries along with a career-high effort on the glass propelled Converse to a 77-71 overtime victory over Conference Carolinas foe Pfeiffer on Wednesday evening.
"It was a total team effort tonight," said Coach Beth Couture. "We fought through the Pfeiffer runs and never gave up. We are proud of their fight and how they overcame the adversity."
The Valkyries were led by senior Margo Dill (Hilton Head, S.C.) scoring 22 points and grabbing a career-high 16 rebounds, 12 of those on the defensive glass. Dill shot 53.3% from the floor on 8-15 shooting and 50% (2-4) from behind the arc.
Logan Hollis (Spartanburg, S.C.) tallied 13 points and six boards and three blocks while Ashley Salgado (Ottumwa, Iowa) and Jakyra Washington (Durham, N.C.) chipped in 10 points apiece. Salgado dished out seven assists and Washington had five dimes. Christhea Mitchell (Jacksonboro, S.C.) scored nine points and had three steals.
Converse (3-18, 2-15 CC) came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders down 32-20 to Pfeiffer (5-17, 4-14) chipping away the Falcon lead. A triple and a deep jumper by Dill with 11:38 remaining in regulation would make it a one possession game, 39-37.
Pfeiffer would push the lead back to eight, 54-46, on a Valkyrie turnover. Converse would go on a 13-2 run to take a 59-56 advantage with 2:47 remaining in regulation. Dill got the Valkyrie rally started with a lay-up dished out by Salgado. Washington would get the crowd going with a triple causing the Falcons to call a timeout.
Mitchell would hit a lay-up and a short baseline jump to take a 55-54 lead. The Falcons would score on a jumper in the paint but Hollis and Mitchell would counter to give the Valkyries a three point lead causing another Falcon timeout with 2:26 remaining.
Converse and Pfeiffer fought back and forth the final 2:26 to head into the first overtime game for the Valkyries this season.
With just under a minute remaining in overtime the Valkyries took the lead for good on a perfect trip at the charity strip by Dill. Salgado would ice the game with seven seconds remaining hitting both free throws. Washington would pad the lead hitting both attempts at the stripe with 0.3 remaining.
Converse went 10-10 at the charity stripe in the overtime period outscoring the Falcons 14-8.
The Valkyries shot 43.9% in the contest after shooting 50% and 40% after shooting 34.8% in the first half. Converse dominated on the glass on both ends outrebounding the Falcons 52-30 using 17 offensive boards to create 19 second chance points. The Valkyries dished out 20 assists on 29 made field goals.
Converse won for the third time this season marking the most wins since the 2011 season.
The Valkyries return home Saturday, February 14 at 2pm against Erskine. It will be the Valkyries Pink Game.