GREENVILLE, S.C.- The Valkyries Basketball program improved in their exhibition against Division I Furman on Wednesday evening, falling to the Paladins 89-52. Last season, the Valkyries dropped the exhibition 86-39.
Converse was led by senior Ashley Salgado (Ottumwa, Iowa) with 10 points going 8-9 from the charity stripe. Kelcee Dozier (Blythewood, S.C.), Erin Horne (Orlando, Fla.), and Logan Hollis (Spartanburg, S.C.) chipped in with nine points apiece. Yashee Johnson (West Columbia, S.C.) led the way with nine boards, while Hannah Anderson (Savannah, Ga.) hauled in seven rebounds.
Furman jumped out to an early lead from the start draining a triple less than a minute into the contest. Dozier would answer with a lay-up to get the Valkyries on the board at 3-2 but it was the Paladins the rest of the way. Furman would go on a 17-5 to race out to a 20-7 advantage. Converse would trail Furman 30-14 after the first stanza.
The Valkyries would put up a fight in the second quarter posting 12 points while only surrendering 15. Converse went into the break down 45-26.
The Paladins extended their lead in the third quarter posting a 72-40 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes.
Furman outside shooters were on target tonight hitting 12 of their 36 shots from behind the arc. The Paladins had 25 assists on their 36 made baskets compared to the Valkyries five on 17 made baskets.
Converse won the battle on the board hauling in 46 boards with 24 of those on the offensive glass. Furman posted 38 rebounds.
The Valkyries have their home season opener on Saturday, November 21 against Lenoir-Rhyne in a non-conference contest. Tip-off is at 2pm. L-R opened the season with a loss to Belmont Abbey.