CENTRAL, S.C. – The Converse University men's basketball team ended an 11-game road losing streak on Wednesday night with a 68-65 win over Southern Wesleyan inside Tysinger Gym.
With the win Converse improves to 8-11 on the season and 6-5 in Conference Carolinas action. The win tonight was also the Valkyries first win over Southern Wesleyan in school history.
Bosko Bojovic once again led the Valkyries with an 18-point, 14-rebound performance on the night. Bojovic has now scored in double-figures in 10 straight games and has recorded a double-double in five of the last six matches.
Jordan Warlick finished second on the team with 13 points, while
Trey Smith contributed 10-points in the win.
Uzziah Dawkins finished a point shy of a double-double with a 9-point, 10-rebound effort, but he did lead the Valkyries with four assists on the night.
First Half Notes:
- Bojovic grabbed the first board of the game after Southern Wesleyan missed their opening shot. Smith found Warlick for the opening three-pointer of the game with 19:24 to play in the first half.
- Griffin Effenberger scored the first points of the game for Southern Wesleyan with a layup at the 18:59 mark.
- Over the opening seven minutes of game time the Valkyries raced out to a 19-8 advantage over the Warriors.
- The Valkyries offense went silent as the Warriors began to take momentum on a 16-0 run over a four-minute period game time.
- For the remainder of the period the Valkyries began to chip away at the Warriors lead and went into the halftime break trailing 40-35.
- Converse shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from the three-point line and 50 percent from the free throw line.
Second Half Notes:
- Smith hit the opening three-pointer at the 18:57 mark to pull the Valkyries within a pair at 40-38.
- Two possessions later Bojovic tied the match at 42. Following a pair of free throws by Southern Wesleyan, Smith nailed another three pointer and the Valkyries regained the lead for the first time since the first half at 45-44.
- For the majority of the half the two teams went back-and-forth and never let one another get more than a possession ahead. With 1:25 to play in the game Nygel Boozer hit a three-pointer and the Valkyries took a 64-62 advantage.
- Following a foul by Southern Wesleyan, Boozer made two crucial free throws to give the Valkyries a four-point edge over the Warriors. Jamal Edmonson immediately made a three-pointer to pull the Warriors back within a point.
- Trey Smith hit the final free throws of the game to preserve the win for the Valkyries. Converse outscored Southern Wesleyan 33-25 in the second half and shot 40 percent from the field, 33 percent from three-point range and 71 percent from the free throw line.
Stat Leaders:
Points – Bojovic (18), Warlick (13), Smith (10), Dawkins (9)
Rebounds – Bojovic (14), Dawkins (10), Warlick (4)
Assists – Dawkins (4)
Next Up:
Converse will return home this Saturday afternoon to battle Barton inside the Weisiger Center. Tip-off is slated for 4:00 p.m.
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