MARS HILL, N.C. – The Converse University men's basketball team fell 76-67 to Mars Hill University on Friday night at Stanford arena.
The loss on Friday night marks the first time the Valkyries have lost a season opening match and they are now 1-1 all-time against the Lions of Mars Hill. For Converse a trio of newcomers helped the Valkyries on both the offense and defensive side of the ball.
Uzziah Dawkins led the team with 16-points,
Aaron Porcil added 10-points and
Bosko Bojovic was one put from completing a double-double. The Serbian native finished with 15-rebounds in the loss. Meanwhile,
Sigurd Lorange finished second on the team with 11-points to lead the Valkyries returners.
1st Half Notes:
- Porcil made the first points of the match via free throws just 30-seconds into the match. Less than a minute later Porcil had the first basket of the game with a mid-range jumper at the 18:34 mark.
- The Valkyries held the Lions scoreless until the 17:31 mark, when Trey Belin scored the first points of the match for Mars Hill.
- Trailing 9-4 with 14:28 to play in the opening half, the Valkyries used a quick 6-0 run to take the lead back at 10-9.
- The early advantage did not stick however, as the Mars Hill offense began to click and used a 15-0 run to pull away from Converse. For the rest of the period the Valkyries began to chip away at the lead, but they still trailed 34-25 going into the intermission break.
- Converse shot 45 percent from the field in the first half, 33 percent from three-point range and 50 percent from the free throw line.
2nd Half Notes:
- Bosko Bojovic scored the opening points of the second period and the Valkyries were once again within striking distance of the Lions.
- Throughout the second half the Valkyries would go on offensive runs and put pressure on the Lions defense. The Valkyries were never able to break through, however, as the closest they got was within six-points on multiple occasions.
- Converse scored 42 points in the second half and 37.1 percent from the field. The Valkyries also shot 42.8 percent from three-point range and 66.67 percent from the free throw line.
Leaders:
Points: Dawkins (16), Lorange (11) and Porcil (10)
Rebounds: Bojovic (15)
Assists: Porcil (3)
Next Up:
The Valkyries will be back in action against Wingate University tomorrow evening at 5:00 p.m.
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