BANNER ELK, N.C. – The Converse University men's basketball team dropped an 81-72 decision to Lees-McRae on Saturday afternoon inside the Williams Gymnasium.
Since winning their first game of the spring semester, the Converse men's basketball team has faltered this past week with a pair of road losses. Saturday's loss against Lees-McRae drops the Valkyries to 5-9 overall and 4-6 in Conference Carolina action. The Valkyries are 5-4 in home games this season but 0-5 in road matches.
Lees-McRae opened the game with three-pointer at the 19:47 mark of the first half. The Valkyries first four-points of the game all came from the free throw line.
Elijah Pitts knocked down the Valkyries first jump shot of game with 14:35 remaining in the period. The basket pulled the Valkyries within a point of the Bobcats and on the Valkyries next possession
Sigurd Lorange hit a fastbreak three-pointer to give Converse a 9-7 advantage.
The two squads stayed within a point of each other over the next few minutes of game time. Then the Bobcats went on an 8-0 run and began to pull away from the Valkyries. Converse was able to battle back and keep the game within reach heading into the halftime break. Both Lorange and
Earl Burgess III recorded eight points in the opening half as Converse trailed 32-24 at the intermission.
The first two minutes of the second half were scoreless between the two teams, until Lees-McRae hit a three-pointer to take a double-digit lead over the Valkyries. With 11:40 to play in the second half the Valkyries trailed by 17-points, Lorange then jump started the Valkyries offense with a mid-range jumper.
Pitts and
Jay Mitchell capped off a 9-0 run with a pair of dunks against the Bobcats defense. The run brought the Valkyries back within eight points of Lees-McRae. Converse stayed close with Lees-McRae and began to make their move late in the half. With 4:16 to go in the game Lorange hit a three-pointer and the Valkyries trailed 67-63. The Valkyries remained within five points of the Bobcats, but they were unable to take the lead.
Lorange led the Valkyries with 18-points, 8-assists and a team best 4-steals. Pitts finished second on the team with 15-points,
Jay Mitchell added 13-points and
Jordan Warlick and Burgess III each contributed 10-points in the loss. Pitts, Burgess III and
Nate Gordon all tied for the team lead in rebounds with seven.
Next Up:
The Valkyries will be back in action at the Weisiger Center next Friday night against UNC Pembroke. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. against the Braves.
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