FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Converse College basketball team dropped a 67-53 contest to Lake Erie on Thursday afternoon during opening action of the 2019 Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational hosted by University of Alaska Fairbanks.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Lake Erie 67, Converse 53
Records: Lake Erie (1-7), Converse (1-6)
Location: Alaska Airlines Court, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Senior guard Dominique Hill finished with a game-high 15 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists.
- Sophomores Ellen Nardella and Alexis McMillian chipped in 10 points each.
- McMillian nearly missed a double-double, hauling in a team-high nine rebounds.
- Converse shot 16-of-54 (29.6%) from the floor and 16-for-22 (72.7%) from the charity stripe.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
McMillian knocked down a pair of free throws to get the scoring started for the Valkyries, but the Storm ripped off a 10-2 run over the next five minutes of game time, giving Lake Erie a 10-4 lead midway through the opening frame.
Hill was able to cut the deficit in half after dialing up a shot from downtown. Lake Erie outscored the Purple and Gold 4-2 the remainder of the period, taking a 14-9 lead after 10 minutes of play.
Second Quarter
Shakori Jennings-Shuler connected on a layup to bring Converse to within 16-11, but six in a row by the Storm pushed the lead to double-digits (22-11) with 7:25 remaining in the half. That advantage ballooned to 14 (28-14) as the Vals struggled to find the bottom of the basket.
The final four minutes of the second was even as the two teams traded 12 points, sending Lake Erie into the locker room leading 34-20.
Third Quarter
Nardella opened the second half with a three followed by a McMillian layup, sparking a 12-2 run by Converse, pulling the Vals to within 36-32 with 5:00 on the third period clock. Lake Erie was able to establish its lead back after collecting seven of the next nine points before Sierra Davenport tallied a basket, closing the gap to 43-36.
Fourth Quarter
The Storm took the first five points of the fourth, extending the lead to 50-38. It was an uphill battle the remainder of the final stanza with the lead growing to as many as 16 (59-43). Converse was able to come to within 12 points on numerous occasions, but the Storm did not allow it to drop below that, taking the 67-53 win.
UP NEXT
The Valkyries will be back in action tomorrow evening, facing the host team, Alaska-Fairbanks, during day two of the Mt. McKinley North Star Invitational. Tipoff for that contest is scheduled for 7 p.m.