SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse College basketball team could not hold an 18-point lead, falling to the Chowan Hawks on Thursday afternoon by the final of 64-56. The Valkyries were outscored 32-9 in the fourth period.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Chowan 64, Converse 56
Records: Chowan (2-8, 2-4 CC), Converse (1-13, 0-5 CC)
Location: Hannah Gymnasium, Converse College, Spartanburg, S.C.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Alexis McMillian led the Purple and Gold with 15 points and seven rebounds.
- Lindsey Hardin and Alliee Pattillo chipped in 10 points each.
- The Valkyries shot 20-56 (35.7%) from the floor, including only 4-of-20 (20%) from distance.
- Converse held a dominant 44-28 advantage on the boards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Valkyries came out strong, taking seven of the first nine points with more than three minutes off the clock. The rest of the period was a struggle for both teams offensively as the ball sparingly found the bottom of the basket. Ellen Nardella's jumper with seven seconds remaining gave the Vals a 12-8 lead after one quarter of action.
Second Quarter
With the score at 14-12 in favor of the home team, Converse used a run of 9-0, capped off by a three from Hardin, to push out to a double-digit lead (23-12) with 4:12 left in the first half. Chowan made a push the remainder of the quarter, but Converse headed to the locker room leading 25-18 at the break.
Third Quarter
Jahkeria Bagby collected a layup two minutes into the second half, pulling Chowan to within 25-20, but Converse used a massive 12-2 run over three minutes of game time to push out to a comfortable 37-22 advantage.
That lead continued to balloon and would reach its highest (44-26) following a rare four-point play by Pattillo. Converse took a 47-32 lead into the final stanza despite Chowan tallying six of the final eight points in the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Hawks turned up the intensity on defense to start the fourth, forcing key turnovers by the Valkyries. Destiny Robinson netted a free throw, cutting the Converse lead to 49-45 with 6:28 to go in the game. However, the Vals were able to push the lead back to seven after an old-fashioned three-point play by Bhrianna Jackson.
Unfortunately, Chowan continued to chip away at the deficit, eventually taking a 57-56 lead with a minute to go. That lead would not be relinquished with the Hawks earning the final seven points of the contest.
UP NEXT
Converse will complete the home-and-home with the Hawks, traveling to Murfreesboro, N.C. on January 2, 2020. Tipoff for that contest is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.