SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University men's basketball team dropped a 95-55 decision to #11 UNC Pembroke on Friday night inside the Weisiger Center.
 
A pair of defensive plays started the night for both teams as Earl Burgess III (Spartanburg, S.C.) rejected the first shot of the game. On the other end of the floor Spencer Levi blocked the Valkyries first shot of the match. Jordan Warlick (Irmo, S.C.) scored the first basket of the game for either side with 19:26 remaining in the match. Levi recorded the first points for UNC Pembroke just moments later.
 
Over the next several minutes of game time both teams traded baskets and neither team was able to build a sizeable lead. The Braves broke through after the under 12 media timeout with a 6-0 run, the quick offensive spurt gave UNC Pembroke a 20-10 advantage. The Valkyries continued to fight throughout the half and kept the game within single-digits on multiple occasions in the opening period. However, the Braves went into the halftime break with a 40-26 advantage over the Valkyries.
 
Coming out of the halftime break the Valkyries tried to set the tone defensively for the remainder of the half. Jay Mitchell (Clemmons, N.C.) blocked a layup attempt from Jordan Ratliffe in the opening moments of the period. Things started to get a bit chippie between the squads just moments later following a contested rebound between Levi and Elijah Pitts. As a result of the quick altercation both Burgess III and Trenton McIntyre received technical fouls.
 
As the Braves put the game out of reach both teams were able to empty the benches. Sigurd Lorange led the Valkyries with a 16-point outing and Jimmie Sanders III contributed 10-points in the loss on Friday night.   
 
Next Up:
The Valkyries will be back in action tomorrow afternoon inside the Weisiger Center against Francis Marion. Tipoff is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start time.  
 
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