GAFFNEY, S.C.- The Valkyries basketball team battled to a 70-54 defeat at the hands of nationally ranked Limestone in Conference Carolinas action on Saturday afternoon.

Brianna James (Spartanburg, S.C.) led the Valkyries with a game-high 22 points.  Yashee Johnson (West Columbia, S.C.) and Logan Hollis (Spartanburg, S.C.) chipped in with eight points.  Johnson grabbed a game-high 14 boards while Hollis hauled in eight.

Converse (5-19, 4-16) jumped out to an early 7-2 lead aided by Y. Johnson's four points.  Limestone (25-0, 20-0) would tie things up at 7-all before the Valkyries went on an 8-2 run to end the first quarter.

The Valkyries would extend their lead to 18-11 early in the second quarter after Logan Hollis posted a lay-up.  Converse held on to the lead throughout the second quarter until the Saints used a 10-4 run to tie things at 29-all heading into the locker room.

The Saints came out of the locker room on a 10-2 run before Kassidy Moorhouse stopped the run with a trey with 5:27 left in the third quarter.  Limestone used another mini run (8-2) to push things to 47-36.  Bri James knocked down a trey to bring it down to single digits.

Limestone took a 52-40 lead into the final ten minutes.  The Saints pushed their lead to 61-42 with 4:31 left in the contest before Bri James went on a 8-0 alone knocking down two triples and two freebies within 37 seconds to cut it to 11.

The Saints would knock down free throws to end the contest and take the 70-54 victory.

Converse is out of contention for Conference Carolinas tournament play with the loss, but has a chance to tie the DII school record for wins when they host Southern Wesleyan and Belmont Abbey to finish out the season.

The Valkyries host Southern Wesleyan on Tuesday, February 23 at 7pm.