Spartanburg, SC – The Converse College Women's Basketball Team returned to action in 2021, as they welcomed in Emmanuel College to start their Conference Carolinas play.  Both teams had experienced tough competition as 2020 came to an end and they were looking to start the year off on a positive note.  Friday's game would be the first of back to back games between the two teams, with the Valkyries hoping to go one up on the Lions.

In the first quarter, Emmanuel jumped out to an early 10-2 lead, but baskets by Sierra Davenport, Jordan Brown and Lindsey Hardin quickly trimmed the lead to 12-7.  Converse would play tough defense and did not allow the Lions to score the rest of the quarter.  As the quarter ended, the Valkyries only found themselves down by five.

To start the second quarter, Eva Carballo connected on a jump shot in the paint to trim the score to 12-9, but that was answered by an Emmanuel 3-pointer to extend their lead to 15-9.  However, Ashley Sides hit a 3 of her own and Converse was back in the game, 15-12.  Baskets by Lindsey Hardin and Sierra Davenport would eventually give the Valkyries a 16-15 lead, however, the Lions would close out the half taking a 25-21 lead into the locker room.

As the third quarter began, Lindsey Hardin hit a 3-pointer to trim Emmanuel's lead to 4 points, 28-24, however, the Lions would answer with a 3-pointer of their own and they eventually found themselves up by 10 points.  An Ashley Sides 3-pointer was able to get the deficit to under double digits but the Lions began to go on a run and increase their lead to 15 points.  As the quarter came to a close, Emmanuel led Converse by a score of 45-32.

Unfortunately, the Valkyries were unable to cut into the Lions' lead in the fourth quarter and found themselves down 13 points, 51-38.  Emmanuel would begin to pull away and eventually found themselves up by 20 points, 61-41, with a 1:36 left in the game.  A 3-pointer by Ellen Nardella would be the final basket of the game for Converse, as they would eventually would fall by a final score of 65-44.

The Valkyries have a quick turnaround, as they will be back in action Saturday again against Emmanuel.  Converse is currently 1-1 on the season and they will look to avenge tonight's loss.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00pm and fans can watch the game live on the Conference Carolinas Digital Network at https://www.conferencecarolinasdn.com/