SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University men's basketball team opened up the second half on a 29-7 in rout to an 82-67 win over King on Tuesday night inside the Weisiger Center.

With the win Converse is now 10-11 overall and 8-5 in Conference Carolinas play. The Valkyries are also 9-1 at home this season and they have won nine straight games inside the Weisiger Center. The Valkyries second half defense locked down a potent King offense as they held the Tornado without a point for 9:40 of game time. King ended the second half 0-10 from the three-point line.

Bosko Bojovic and Uzziah Dawkins tied for the team lead with 25-points each. For Dawkins it was a new career high in points and for Bojovic it was the second time this season he has eclipsed the 25-point mark. Dawkins finished the game with a team high 5 assists and 3 steals, while Bojovic had a team best 14-rebounds.

First Half Notes:

• Josh Jackson scored the first points of the game for either side with a three-pointer at the 19:08 mark of the opening half. Jay Mitchell tied the game with a three-pointer of his own on the Valkyries next possession down the court.
• Back-to-back baskets by Dawkins gave Converse their first lead of the game at 7-6. The lead was short lived, however, as Darron Howard hit the three-pointer of the period for King with 16:13 to play.
• The three-pointer sparked a 12-0 run by the Tornado and forced Converse to call a timeout with 14:06 left in the period.
• Over the next few possessions, Bojovic and Dawkins began to break down the Tornado's lead and with 11:00 to go in half, Trey Smith connected on a three-pointer to pull the Valkyries back in at 20-16.
• Converse was unable to build off the momentum as King countered with a 9-4 run. Once again, the Valkyries offense stepped up to the challenge and clawed their way back into the game.
• Baskets by Earl Burgess III, Aaron Porcil and Smith on the Valkyries next three possessions had the Valkyries right back in the game at 29-26.
• An ill timed 8-0 run from King once again took the momentum away from Converse. The Valkyries went into the halftime break trailing 42-35. Converse shot 42 percent from the field in the first half, 21 percent from three point range and 100 percent from the free throw line.  

Second Half Notes:

• Kenny Turner scored the first points of the second half for either side as King built a nine-point lead over Converse. Dawkins scored the first points of the second half for Converse.
• The Valkyries took complete control of the game starting at the 17:25 mark of the second half. Over the next 10-minutes of game time the Valkyries went on a 29-7 run and held King without a field goal over that stretch.
• With 6:08 to play Myles McCrary ended the scoring drought with a pair of free throws. Brandon Lamberth scored the first field goal of the drought with 3:39 to play in the period.
• Holding a 71-55 edge over the Tornado the Valkyries were able to coast to their ninth victory of the season inside the Weisiger Center. Converse outscored the Tornado 47-25 in the second half and shot 61 percent from the field.

Stat Leaders:
Points – Dawkins (25), Bojovic (25), Boozer (8), Smith (8)
Rebounds – Bojovic (14), Warlick (7), Dawkins (6)
Assists – Dawkins (5)

Next Up:
Converse will stay at home this weekend as they host Belmont Abbey on Saturday afternoon inside the Weisiger Center. Tip-off is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start between the Valkyries and the Crusaders.

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