SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University women's basketball team fell 77-57 to Mount Olive on Saturday afternoon inside the Weisiger Center.
 
With the loss the Valkyries are now 1-7 overall and 1-2 in Conference Carolinas play, meanwhile, Mount Olive improves to 3-5 and 2-1 in Conference Carolinas action. With the loss the Valkyries remain winless against Mount Olive since the 2005 season.
 
Maleiya Hill scored the first points of the game for either side, before Jordan Brown scored the first points for Converse. The game remained close in the opening moments of the first period, with Mount Olive holding a slight 12-11 lead with 5:41 to play in the period. The Trojans then used a full court press to slow the Valkyries offenses down. The Trojans took advantage of the momentum and went on a 9-0 run to pull ahead of Converse.
 
The Valkyries attempted to cut back into the Trojans lead late in the first quarter, but ended up trailing 30-18 at the quarter break. Following a trio of free throws by Brown in the second quarter the Valkyries were once again within striking distance of Mount Olive. A quick 5-0 spurt by the Trojans offense and the Valkyries were once again chipping away at 15-point deficit. Going into the halftime break, Converse trailed 45-31.
 
To start off the third quarter, the Valkyries fed senior center Sydney Wilson the ball in the paint early and often. Wilson scored the first four-points of the period and the Valkyries trailed 45-35 with 8:39 to play in the quarter. Once again, the Valkyries offense went silent for much of the quarter as Mount Olive outscored Converse 24-7 in the period.
 
Colbie Perry opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer off a Daven West assist. Zahra Cross then began to take over the game for the Valkyries as she scored the next seven points for either side. The Valkyries were unable to sustain the early momentum in the quarter and ran out of time before a comeback could occur.
 
Cross finished the game with team high 22-points and two steals against the Trojans. Brown finished second on the team with 15-points and led the team with 15-rebounds. Sydney Wilson finished third on the team with 10-points and second on the team in rebounds with 10 on the night.
 
Next Up:
The Valkyries will have a week off before they host Erskine College next Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. inside the Weisiger Center.
 
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