SPARTANBURG, SC – The Valkyries won their first home game and second game in a row Saturday afternoon at the Tom and Tracy Hannah Gymnasium against the Cobras of Coker College. The Valkyries' second half push would lead to a 64-61 victory.
Converse came out hot in the first 5 minutes, taking a 9-4 lead. The Valkyries would not see another lead until the second half as the Cobras proceeded to shoot 41 percent from the field in the first half, bringing a 37-26 lead into the locker room at half-time.
Converse went on a 20-9 run in the first 10 minutes of the second half to tie the game at 46-46 with 9:39 remaining. Sophomore Katy Vaughan (Lebanon, TN) led the Valkyries in the second half putting up 13 points. Converse lead with 19 seconds left in the game with a score 62 to 61 before Coker's Ashley Thompson fouled Converse senior Morgan Sacharski (Sussex, WI), sending her to the line where she sunk both free-throws to build a 64-61 lead that would last until the final horn.
Coker was lead by senior Megan Thomas who had a team high 17 points, and junior Jasmine Alston who recorded the game's only double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Vaughan led the Valkyries in scoring for the second game straight game with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Freshman Samira Gillcrese (Florence, SC) was not far behind with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Sacharski led the team in rebounds (11), to go along with 8 points.
Converse moves to 2-10 overall, and 2-3 in Conference Carolinas play while Coker drops to 2-9 overall, and 2-3 in Conference Carolinas play. The Valkyries will travel to face Belmont Abbey College on January 10th with a start time of 7:00PM.
