SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University women's basketball team shot 64 percent from the field in the third quarter of Saturday's game against King University, but it was not enough as the Tornado came away with an 82-75 win over the Valkyries.
Converse (0-3, 0-1 Conference Carolinas) lost the opening tip-off to King (2-1, 1-0 Conference Carolinas). The Tornado began the game on an 8-2 run but the Valkyries countered with a short run of their own. The two squads went into the second quarter tied at 12-12.
With 7:55 to play in the second period Trinity Lee knocked down a three-pointer to give the Tornado a 17-16 advantage. The three-pointer was a spark for the King offense over the next two minutes of game time. Lee capped the run with a steal and a fast break basket to give King a 27-18 advantage with 5:07 to play in the half.
Trailing 30-20 with three-minutes remaining in the period the Valkyries went on a small 6-0 run to get the momentum back.
Lindsey Hardin (Inman, S.C.) converted on a three-point attempt with 30 seconds to go to pull the Spartans within four-points of King. Going into the halftime break the Valkyries trailed 33-29.
Coming out of the halftime break the Valkyries came out shooting lights out as they hit 64 percent of their shots from the field. With three-minutes left in the period,
Daven West made a layup that brought the Valkyries within a point of the Tornado at 49-48. Both squads finished the third quarter with 23-points each.
The offense stayed alive in the fourth final quarter as the Valkyries were outscored 26-23 in the final period of action. Converse was unable to overcome the scoring gap in the final quarter of action and the Tornado left Spartanburg with an 82-75 win.
Sydney Wilson and
Lindsey Hardin tied for the team lead in total points with 15 each in the game.
Keyshuna Fair finished second on the team with 12-points, Wilson, Fair and
Eva Carballo tied for the team lead in rebounds with six.
Zahra Cross led the team with six assists in the match.
Next Up:
The Valkyries will be back in action on Tuesday night against the Erskine Flying Fleet. Tip-off is slated for 5:00 p.m. inside the Weisiger Center.
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