TIGERVILLE, S.C. – For the second consecutive game the Converse men's basketball team took their opponent down to the wire, but once again the Valkyries found themselves on the wrong end of a 70-65 loss to North Greenville on Tuesday evening.
 
North Greenville won the opening tipoff but was unable to convert on their opening possession of the game. Jay Mitchell (Clemmons, N.C.) scored the first points of the game at the 19:18 mark of the period. Joe Conley scored on the Crusaders next possession down the court and the game was tied once again.
 
Following a free throw by Conley at the 17:01 mark of the period, the Valkyries offense caught fire and went on an 11-0 run. Holding a 15-4 advantage, the Converse defense was bombarded with a barrage of shots from the Crusaders offense as North Greenville tied the match at 20. Over the next few minutes of game time the Valkyries and the Crusaders exchanged baskets with Converse holding a slim 29-27 advantage at the 4:17 mark of the half.
 
The Crusaders took the lead with 3:59 to play in the period and never looked back the rest of the half. North Greenville held a 40-32 advantage at the halftime intermission, while sophomore guard Sigurd Lorange led the Valkyries with 15-points in the first period.
 
At the start of the second half, Mitchell once again scored the opening points for either side. Moments later Earl Burgess III (Spartanburg, S.C.) blocked the Crusaders shot and Mitchell scored once again. The Valkyries defense clamped down at the start of the second half as North Greenville missed their first eight shots of the period.
 
Neither team shot well in the second half as the Crusaders held a 47-39 advantage with 11:38 to play in the game. With 10:12 to play in the game Burgess III jump started an 11-0 run for the Valkyries offense. The run helped the Valkyries pull within a trio of points at 52-49 with just 6:42 to go in the game.
 
Down the stretch the Valkyries made the game close as they went on a 5-0 run late in the match. With less than a minute to play in the game Converse trailed 66-65, on the Valkyries next possession they turned the ball over. North Greenville was able to convert on their free throws down the stretch to clinch the victory.
 
Lorange led the team with 21-points, Burgess III added 13-points and Mitchell contributed 11-points. Nate Gordon led the Valkyries with 8-rebounds in the match, while Burgess III ended with a pair of blocks.
 
Next Up:
The Valkyries will have a week to prepare for a road trip against Emmanuel College. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. in the Peach State.
 
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