MURFREESBORO, N.C.  – The Converse University men's basketball team fell 74-62 on Saturday afternoon against the Chowan Hawks.  
 
With the loss on Saturday afternoon, Converse has now dropped eight straight matches dating back to the start of January. The Valkyries road woes continue as well as they fall to 0-9 in road games this season.
 
The Hawks got off to a hot start offensively with an 8-0 run before Eli Pitts (Gainesville, Ga.) was able to get the Valkyries on the board with a three-pointer. Moments later the Valkyries trailed 14-5 going into the first media timeout of the game.
 
Following the first break in the action, junior guard Jimmie Sanders III (Dallas, Texas) scored six unanswered points against the Hawks defense. The quick run pulled the Valkyries within a pair of possessions against Chowan. A few moments later, Earl Burgess III (Spartanburg, S.C.) scored his first points of the game and the Valkyries trailed 18-13 going into the second media timeout.
 
With 9:05 to play in the first half Jordan Warlick (Irmo, S.C.) knocked down a three-pointer off an assist by Sanders III. The basket pulled the Valkyries within a pair of the Hawks as they looked to overcome their slow offensive start. However, Chowan quickly countered with a 4-0 run and forced the Valkyries to call a timeout.
 
Over the next several minutes of action the two sides traded baskets with one another. Chowan began to pull away and held a 32-24 advantage with 4:46 to play in the half. The Hawks ended the half on a 14-2 run and led 44-26 going into the intermission break.
 
Chowan opened the second half on a 7-0 run, Burgess III finally ended the Valkyries scoring drought with a made field goal at the 17:14 mark of the half. Jay Mitchell (Clemmons, N.C.) and Will Searl (Orlando, Fla.) scored on the Valkyries next few possessions as Converse began to cut into the Hawks lead.  
 
The freshman led 15-3 run brought the Valkyries back within striking distance of the Hawks. Trailing 56-42 with just 11:01 to play in the game, Converse looked to keep the pressure on Chowan down the stretch.
 
Despite the Valkyries best efforts, they were unable to catch Chowan as the Hawks pulled away. Chowan closed out the game by converting on free throw attempts.
 
Sanders III led the Valkyries with an 18-point effort and tied for the team lead in assists (3) and steals (3). Mitchell finished with 14-points in the loss, while Burgess III recorded his third double-double of the season with a 13-point, 10-rebound effort. Sigurd Lorange saw his double-digit point streak come to a close on Saturday afternoon.  
 
Next Up:
Converse will have a few days off before they welcome Belmont Abbey to the Weisiger Center on Tuesday night.
 
Follow Converse
https://www.facebook.com/ConverseValkyries
Twitter: @Valkyries_MBB
Instagram: @valkyries_mbb
Youtube.com/Converse Athletics