GAFFNEY, S.C. – Sophomore guard Alexis McMillian scored a team-high 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds, but the Converse College basketball team came up on the losing end of an 80-60 score at Limestone on Wednesday evening. 

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Converse 60, Limestone 80

Records: Converse (4-25, 3-17 CC), Limestone (19-7, 14-6 CC)

Location: Timken Center, Gaffney, S.C. 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Shakori Jennings-Shuler posted a career-high 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting to go along with four rebounds.
• Dominique Hill was also able to reach double-digit scoring, tallying 10 points on the evening.
• The Valkyries shot 42.3% (22-52) from the floor, including 5-for-13 from three.
• The charity stripe was unkind as the Vals were only able to connect on 11-of-26.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter

Hill started the scoring early for Converse, taking the jump ball down the court and connecting on a layup six seconds into the contest. However, Limestone used a 6-0 run over the next two minutes to stake itself to a four-point advantage. 

Lindsey Hardin drained a three followed by a layup from McMillian, giving the Vals the lead back with 7:02 remaining on the clock. From that point, the Saints took control of the opening period, outscoring Converse 18-7 over the remainder of the quarter, taking a double-digit lead (24-14) into the next frame. 

Second Quarter

The Valkyries defense came out strong in the second period, forcing three turnovers and six consecutive missed shots by the Saints. A Hill layup at the 4:59 mark allowed Converse to trim the deficit to 26-18 midway through. 

Reagan McCray snapped the cold spell for Limestone with a three before a pair of free throws from Schek Bimpa allowed the home team to extend back out to 31-18. Three consecutive layups for the Valkyries helped Converse to pull within 31-24 with a little over two minutes to play in the first half. 

However, another triple by McCray and two straight inside scores by Bimpa would stake Limestone to a 40-27 lead at the break. 

Third Quarter

Limestone collected six of the first nine in the second half, ballooning its lead to 46-30 with 6:55 remaining, but the Valkyries refused to go away as they responded with an 8-3 spurt to climb within 48-38 just a few ticks later. Ellen Nardella capped off the run with deep three. 

That would be the closest the visitors would get, however, as Limestone made good use of the free throw line before Jayla Morrow beat the shot clock with a step-back three to make it 56-39. Another shot from distance by the Saints followed by a lay-in gave Limestone a 61-43 lead heading to the final period. 

Fourth Quarter

The fourth quarter was back-and-forth as the two teams exchanged the initial 12 points. A make by Nardella at the charity stripe trimmed the deficit to 69-53 with 4:38 left on the clock, but that was as close as the score would be in the fourth as Limestone closed out the contest scoring 11 of the final 18 points. 

UP NEXT

Converse will return to Hannah Gymnasium on Saturday, February 22, playing host to Emmanuel (Ga.) in a Conference Carolinas showdown.