SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse basketball team was dealt a 70-39 loss at the hands of league-leading Belmont Abbey College on Wednesday evening inside the Weisiger Center. The Crusaders outscored Converse in every quarter, securing the Conference Carolinas win. 

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Belmont Abbey 70, Converse 39

Records: Belmont Abbey (20-2, 15-1 CC) Converse (3-22, 2-14 CC)

Location: Hannah Gymnasium 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Lindsey Hardin was the lone Valkyrie to score in double-digits, posting a team-high 12 points.
• Alexis McMillian chipped in six points, while Dominique Hill and Alliee Pattillo scored five each.
• Sierra Davenport led the Purple and Gold on the glass, hauling in seven rebounds.
• The Valkyries forced 17 Crusader turnovers, including seven steals.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter

Belmont Abbey jumped out to a quick lead after taking 14 of the initial 15 points of the opening quarter. A pair of free throws by Hill followed by baskets from Ellen Nardella and McMillian allowed Converse to pull within 16-7 with 1:27 left on the clock. However, Abbey's Alexis Schulz scored the final two points of the period, giving the Crusaders an 18-7 lead after one. 

Second Quarter

With the score at 20-11 in favor of the visitors, Belmont Abbey ripped off 11 in a row, taking a commanding 31-11 lead. A three-pointer by Pattillo snapped the points streak, but Belmont Abbey continued to pour it on, tallying the next eight points. Hardin drained a deep three just before the half to send the Valkyries into the intermission trailing, 39-17. 

Third Quarter

Coming out of the locker room, the two teams traded the first 14 points. However, scoring was at a premium down the stretch as both offenses struggled to find the bottom of the basket. The Crusaders outscored the Purple and Gold 7-2 over the quarter's final three and half minutes, garnering a 53-26 lead headed to the fourth. 

Fourth Quarter

The final period was a back-and-forth affair with both teams settling into a bit of an offensive rhythm. Hardin knocked down back-to-back threes followed by a pair of shots from Davenport at the charity stripe, trimming the deficit to 63-35 with 5:22 remaining in the game. Each team made its share of free throws over the final minutes of the game, but Belmont Abbey finished strong, earning the 70-39 victory. 

UP NEXT

Converse will return to the hardwood on Saturday, February 8 as it plays host to Southern Wesleyan University. That contest is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m.