Due West, SC - After a big Conference Carolinas win on Thursday night, the Converse Women's Basketball team traveled to Due West, SC to face Erskine College.  This was the second game between the two teams this season.  The Valkyries would be without point guard Tierney Porter, who injured her ankle against Lees-McRae, but Coach Brunelli's team was prepared to step up.  This would be a critical game as Converse was looking to move up in the conference standings prior to the postseason.

The first quarter was scoreless for the first two and a half minutes, until Lindsey Hardin drained a 3-pointer, which was followed by a FG from Keyshuna Fair, to give the Valkyries a 5-0 lead.  On the next offensive possession, Jordan Brown hit a shot from down low and was fouled, but was unable to convert on the free throw.  After another defensive stop, Hardin grabbed an offensive rebound and put the ball in the basket to increase the lead to 9-2.  The Fleet were able to add another basket, but as the quarter came to an end, the Valkyries held the advantage, 9-4. 

Erskine began to cut into the lead, as the second quarter got on the way, and suddenly found themselves only down by 2 points.  At the 7:45 mark, the Fleet connected on a 3-pointer to take their first lead of the game.  However, Ashley Sides would answer to help Converse regain the lead, 11-10.  After the media timeout, Erskine regained the lead 13-11, but that did not last long, as Sierra Davenport tied it back with a basket down low.  Unfortunately, as half came to an end, the Fleet would lead the Valkyries by a score of 21-20. 

Both teams were not able to get anything offensively going for the first 2 minutes of the third quarter.  Jordan Brown finally got Converse on the board when she converted to free throws to retake the lead, 22-21.  However, Erskine answered again with a 3-pointer to go up by 2.  That did not last long, as Alliee Pattillo drained a 3 from the corner, to go up 25-24.  A 3 the Fleet, was answered by one from Hardin, as the Valkyries regained the lead.  That was followed by a driving layup from Keyshuna Fair, to increase the lead to 3 points.  A steal by Eva Carballo resulted in a fast break layup, which forced Erskine to call a time out, with Converse leading 35-27.  Out of the timeout, Keyshuna Fair converted two free throws, which increased the lead to 10 points.  At the end of the quarter, the Valkyries would find themselves leading by a score of 39-27. 

The Fleet got on the board first in the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer from the wing.  That would be the start of a 5-0 run for Erskine.  A pass from Jordan Brown to Sierra Davenport put an end to the run and that was followed by another 3-pointer from Lindsey Hardin, to keep Converse in front.  Most of the quarter would see both teams play tough defensively.  With 1:34 remaining in the game, The Valkyries held a 5-point lead, 44-39.  As the buzzer sounded, Converse would come away with the win 45-42.

The Valkyries were led in scoring by Lindsey Hardin with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals.  She was followed by Keyshuna Fair who added 10 points, 14 rebounds, along with 4 blocked shots.  Jordan Brown, Eva Carballo and Sierra Davenport each had solid performances on the board.  Converse returns home on Tuesday night when they host King University.  The Valkyries beat the Tornado on January 28^th, 71-69, which was the first time they had done so in 9 years.  Tuesday's game will tip-off at 7:00pm.