Box Score Tigerville, SC - It had been a week since the Converse Women's Basketball team had played a game and they were anxious to get back on the court.  Today they would travel down the road to Tigerville, SC to face the Crusaders of North Greenville University.  It was another Conference Carolinas match up and the Valkyries were hoping to move up in the standings with a win.  Both teams had won 2 or their last 3 games and with the way the teams had been scoring, this was shaping up to be a highly competitive game.     

The first quarter's possession belonged to Converse off of the jump ball but a missed 3-pointer by Keyshuna Fair, turned into 7 straight points for North Greenville.  The Valkyries were having a difficult time finding the basket and the Crusaders took advantage of Converse turnovers.  However, at the 5:30 mark, Jordan Brown put the Valkyries on the board with a 3-pointer from the wing, to trim the lead to 7-3.  After two NGU Free throws, Brown would score again on a layup to pull within 4 points.  After the media timeout, Lindsey Hardin, hit a short jumper to cut the lead to 2.  Unfortunately, the Crusaders hit back to back 3-pointers to slow down the Valkyries run.  Down by 5, Sierra Davenport received a pass down low and was able to make the basket, while being fouled.  She was unable to complete the 3-point play but, Converse would force an NGU turnover on the next possession.  As the quarter came to an end, the Valkyries trailed the Crusaders by a score of 18-15. 

NGU was able to draw a shooting foul to start the second quarter.  They made 1 of 2 free throws to go up 19 to 15.  Another two baskets by the Crusaders, increased the lead to 23-15. However, Alliee Pattillo would come off the bench and hit a jumper from the wing, but NGU answered on the other end.  Ashley Sides came in the game and drained a 3-pointer, to cut the lead to 5 points.  On the next possession, the Crusaders drew the blocking foul and were able to convert both free throws.  At the 4:00 mark of the quarter, the Valkyries suddenly found themselves down by double digits 30-20.  Keyshuna Fair cut it back to 8 points with a floating jumper, which was followed by 2 free throws from Lindsey Hardin.  Jordan Brown pulled the team within 4, as she converted a layup with 1 second left on the shot clock and Converse would continue their run when Sierra Davenport rebounded her own miss and made the second chance shot, to cut the lead to 30-28.  After a Jordan Brown foul, NGU made 1 of 2 free throws and eventually increased their lead to 5 points.  As the team's went to the locker room, the Valkyries would trail by 6, 34-28.   

Both teams traded 3-pointers to begin the third quarter, followed by a jumper from the Crusaders.  Lindsey Hardin answered that score with a 3 of her own, to pull Converse within 5.  NGU hit another jumper and forced a Valkyries turnover, to regain possession of the ball.  However, tough defensive from Converse forced a turnover, but Davenport was unable to convert under the basket.  The Crusaders took advantage of that miss, by hitting a layup at the other end.  After an NGU turnover, Lindsey Hardin came down the court and quickly hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key.  She would drain another 3 on the Valkyries' next possession but the Crusaders answered, to increase their lead to 49-40.  Every time Converse would start a run, NGU seemed to have an answer.  At the end of the quarter, the Crusaders had increased their lead to 12, 53-41. 

The fourth quarter did not start the way the Valkyries wanted it to, as they quickly found themselves down by 17 points, 61-44.  As with the third quarter, no matter what Converse did, NGU seemed to have an answer.  With 5:36 left in the game the Crusaders grabbed their largest lead, 68-47.  They would add another basket to go up by 23 points at the media timeout.  Out of the timeout, Hardin converted on 3 straight free throws to trim the lead to 20.  Jordan Brown would then grab a defensive rebound and make a 3-pointer at the other end of the court.  Unfortunately, the Valkyries were not able to cut into the Crusaders lead any more and would fall by a score of 77-56.

Converse was led by Lindsey Hardin with 18 points and 7 rebounds.  She was also a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line.  Hardin was followed by, this past week's Conference Player of the Week, Keyshuna Fair, who added 13 points and 3 rebounds and Jordan Brown with 11 points and 4 rebounds.  The Valkyries will have a few days to regroup until they welcome in Lees-McRae to Hannah Gymnasium on Tuesday 2/9/21, for the first of a home and home match up with the Bobcats.  Tip-off for Tuesday's game is scheduled for 7:00pm.