MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The Valkyries basketball team was dealt an 86-56 loss at the hands of Mount Olive on Tuesday evening. 

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Converse 56, Mount Olive 86

Records: Converse (3-20, 2-12 CC), Mount Olive (15-4, 12-3 CC)

Location: Kornegay Arena, University of Mount Olive, Mount Olive, N.C. 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Lindsey Hardin led the Valkyries with a team-high 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including three makes from behind the arc.
• Ellen Nardella scored in double-digits, chipping in 15 points.
• Shakori Jennings-Shuler finished with a productive game, scoring nine points off the bench.
• Three different Valkyries were able to pull in four rebounds each.
• Despite the loss, Converse shot 42.9% (21-49) from the floor and 42.1% (8-19) from three.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter

The Trojans wasted no time establishing dominance, scoring the game's first 15 points before a three from Hardin put the Valkyries on the board with just over four minutes off the clock in the opening period. 

However, UMO tallied the next 13 points, taking its biggest lead at 28-3. Ashley Sides drained a shot from behind the arc followed by a Sierra Davenport layup, sending the Purple and Gold into the second period trailing 28-8. 

Second Quarter

Nardella opened the second with a jumper, but the Trojans were able to double-up the Vals (16-8) over the span of four and half minutes, staking the home team to a 44-18 advantage. The game became a seesaw affair as the two teams traded baskets on the offensive end of the floor, but Mount Olive maintained its grip on the lead, taking a 53-27 advantage into the break. 

Jennings-Shuler was a bright spot off the bench for Converse in the second period, contributing seven points over the final 2:30 of the half. 

Third Quarter

Mount Olive scored 12 of the first 16 points to start the second half, extending the lead to 65-31 with 6:14 remaining on the third quarter clock. Nardella continued to shoot the ball well for Converse, knocking down some shots to keep the Trojans from growing their lead even more. However, UMO finished the quarter strong, garnering a 77-40 lead heading to the final period of play. 

Fourth Quarter

The Valkyries came out strong in the fourth quarter, using an 8-1 run to cut the Trojan lead to 78-48. During the scoring outburst, Hardin was able to drain two shots from downtown, adding to her team-leading total. The teams exchanged the final 16 points of the quarter and Mount Olive took home the 86-56 win. 

UP NEXT

Converse returns to the hardwood on Saturday, February 1, traveling to Tigerville, S.C. to take on the Crusaders of North Greenville University. That game is scheduled to tipoff at 2 p.m.