GREENVILLE, S.C.- Converse pulls off the comeback win against Bob Jones in a wild finish on the road on Saturday evening defeating the Bruins 80-79 in a non-conference affair. Converse improves to 1-0 on the season for the second straight year but picked up their first road victory since January 6, 2011.
"I thought we had some players step-up tonight," said head coach Dean Walsh. "Kelcee Dozier, Dah'Vielle Lucas, Brianna James stepped up for us. It's not the way I wanted to start the season with our play in the first half. We turned up the intensity in the second half. It's a win. It's a road win. Something that hasn't been done here in a while. We just have to get back at it on Monday."
With time winding down and the Valkyries down by five (79-74), Converse went on a 6-0 run to end the game. Erin Horne (Orlando, Fla.) hit back-to-back jumpers to bring the Valkyries to within one (79-78) with 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Valkyries had to foul to have a chance to tie things up. Bob Jones (4-3) missed both free throws with 18 seconds remaining. Converse rushed the ball down the floor and found Kelcee Dozier (Blythewood, S.C.) down low in the post. Dozier was fouled on the shot and sent the junior to the line with seven ticks remaining. Dozier hit the front end her attempt to tie things at 79-all. BJU called a timeout to try and ice Dozier. Dozier calmly sunk the second attempt to give the Valkyries the lead, 80-79. BJU had a chance at the end of the game to win it but was contested by multiple Valkyries.
Converse posted four in double-figures. Kelcee Dozier led the charge with a career-high 16 points and added seven rebounds. Dah'Vielle Lucas (Greenville, S.C.) led the freshman scoring with 14 points, while freshman Brianna James (Spartanburg, S.C.) had 13 points and six assists. Erin Horne finished with 10 points and five steals.
The Valkyries outscored the Bruins 41-26 in the second half after trailing 53-39 at the break. Converse scored a season-high 23 points in the fourth quarter.
Dah'Vielle Lucas started the game for the Valkyries scoring the first five points to give Converse a 5-2 lead. BJU would counter with a 10-2 run to push their lead to 12-7 midway through the first quarter. BJU pushed their lead out to 11 (26-15) before Kassidy Moorhouse (Anderson, S.C.) drained a three followed up by Dozier with a short jumper to end the quarter.
Bob Jones outscored the Valkyries in the second quarter 27-19 to take a 53-39 advantage into the break. The Bruins shot 63.3% from the floor and went 8-14 (57%) from behind the arc. Converse shot 48.5% from the floor but committed 12 turnovers. Converse was outrebounded on the glass in the first half 18-10.
Converse and Bob Jones traded baskets at the start of the third quarter but a 13-2 run by the Valkyries cut the Bruins lead down to three with 2:35 remaining in the quarter. Converse held Bob Jones scoreless for 6:17 before BJU ended the half on a 9-3 run to lead 66-57 heading into the final quarter.
The Valkyries held Bob Jones to 29.4% in the second half including 22.2% in the fourth quarter. Converse shot 45% in the second half and 45.5% in the fourth quarter. Erin Horne scored six of her 10 points in the fourth.
Converse takes on Furman, Wednesday, November 18 in an exhibition on the road. Tip-off is at 7pm.
Notes:
Head Coach Dean Walsh posted his 300th career win in the 80-79 victory over Bob Jones.