SPARTANBURG, SC-- The Converse basketball squad fell to Conference Carolinas foe Pfeiffer University 76-52 on Wednesday night sending the Valkyries to 3-9 in conference play. Pfeiffer improves to 11-1, holding the second spot in conference standings.
Ashley Arff started things out by putting Converse up 7-2 a couple of minutes into the contest. After about a minute and a half of scoreless action, Pfeiffer bounced back with a pair of baskets by Jamila Harris and a game-tying shot by Domonique China in an 8-0 run. Ashley Day cut the Valkyries deficit to one, before the Lady Falcons spurted out on a 9-0 run halfway through the first period.
Pfeiffer's Devona Knight would score six-straight points, four on free attempts, as the Lady Falcons took a 23-14 lead with 7:51 to go in the frame. Alaina Smith then drained a pair of free throws and jumper for Converse knocking the Pfeiffer lead back down to four at 23-19. Both teams traded baskets over the next four minutes before field goals by Charlotte Fuller, China and Knight created an 11 point halftime lead, 35-24, for the visitors.
The second period was characterized by Pfeiffer holding a consistent lead over the Valkyries. Sloppy play on both sides resulted in numerous fouls and a slow clock for the remainder of the contest. In end, Pfeiffer edged out Converse at the charity stripe 23-9. Converse outscored the Lady Falcons from the arc 21-9. Pfeiffer picked up 19 points off of 24 Valkyrie turnovers while Converse converted Lady Falcon turnovers for 19 points.
Arff led the Valkyries, scoring 16 points and 3 assists.
Alaina Smith followed with 12 additional points and
Jessica McMahan put up another 11.
Pfeiffer's Devona Knight led the Lady Falcons with a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 13 total rebounds. Dominique China scored another 14 while Jamila Harris and Charlotte Fuller added 13 points apiece.
Converse plays again on Saturday, February 6th at Coker College in Hartsville, SC at 2pm.
