SPARTANBURG, S.C.- Converse put up a strong fight posting three Valkyries in double-figures but couldn't find the edge against an unbeaten King in Conference Carolinas action on Saturday afternoon falling 85-64.
Khyrstal Ellis (Greenville, S.C.) and Brianna James (Spartanburg, S.C.) led the Valkyries posting 15 points each. Paige Johnson (Greenville, S.C.) chipped in 10 points. Ellis led the way with seven boards.
Converse (2-9, 1-6) and King (8-5, 7-0) struggled to find the stroke to start the contest going scoreless the first 2:42. Khyrstal Ellis found the bottom of the net to end the scoring drought. Ellis hit a jumper in the paint to give Valkyries a 4-3 advantage. The Valkyries fought back to end the first quarter down 15-10.
The Valkyries would fight in the second quarter to take a 20-19 lead thanks to a 10-4 run to start the quarter. The post play by Logan Hollis (Spartanburg, S.C.) and Ellis tied things up at 15-all. Bri James would give the Valkyries the lead after knocking down two freebies and connecting from downtown. A three from Paige Johnson and a lay-up by Ellis would stretch the lead out to 25-22.
King would go on a 15-3 run to end the quarter and take the momentum and the 37-28 lead into the second half.
The Tornado would extend their lead in the second half before taking the contest 85-64.
The Valkyries defense stymied the King shooters as the Tornado shooters went 9-39 from behind the arc. King finished with a slight advantage on the glass 42-41.
Converse returns to Conference Carolinas action on Wednesday, January 13 against Pfeiffer in Misenheimer, N.C. Tip-off is at 5:30pm.