BELMONT, N.C.- The Converse Basketball team posted their first win over Belmont Abbey for the first time since 2007 in a 60-46 wire-to-wire victory in Conference Carolinas action on Saturday evening.

Converse (5-17, 4-14) was led offensively by Erin Horne (Orlando, Fla.) posting a career-high 20 points and adding six steals.  Brianna James (Spartanburg, S.C.) chipped in 15 points.  Khrystal Ellis (Greenville, S.C.) posted her first career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Valkyries jumped on Belmont Abbey (7-17, 6-12) the first five minutes of the contest going on a 12-2 run.  Khrystal Ellis started the run with a lay-up 31 seconds into the contest.  Horne followed with back-to-back lay-ins.  Dah'Vielle Lucas (Mauldin, S.C.) knocked down two freebies before Ellis scored in the paint.  Horne finished the run with two from the charity stripe to give the Valkyries the early advantage.

The Crusaders would cut it to a five point contest, 12-7, before the Valkyries ended the quarter on a 6-2 run.  Yashee Johnson (West Columbia, S.C.) started the run with a lay-up.  Ashley Salgado (Ottumwa, Iowa) knocked down the freebies and a jumper during the run.

Converse slowed down in the second quarter leading 28-20 heading into the locker room.  The Valkyries defense caused 15 turnovers with nine steals.

The Valkyries and Crusaders maintained the first quarter pace scoring 21 points each.  The fourth quarter really slowed down as Converse scored 11 points.  The Valkyries defense limited Belmont Abbey to a season-low five points in the fourth quarter.

Converse tied a program best 16 steals with Erin Horne leading the way with six.  Ashley Salgado had five.  Both teams had 32 rebounds with Converse gaining the edge on the offensive glass and BAC on the defensive glass.  Yashee Johnson grabbed eight boards.

Converse hosts Mount Olive on February 17 at 5:30 pm.

Notes:

Converse posts five wins for the first time since 2009.  The Valkyries sit in tenth in the Conference Carolinas posting four wins with a log jam at sixth with four team with six conference wins.