WINGATE, N.C. –  The Converse University men's basketball team opened the season with an 80-62 victory over Mars Hill on Friday afternoon inside Cuddy Arena on the campus of Wingate University.  

With the win the Valkyries start the season 1-0 for the first time since the 2021-2022 basketball season. Converse improves to 2-1 all-time against Mars Hill and hold the Lions to under 70 points for the first time in series history. With the loss Mars Hill falls to 0-1 on the season for the second time in three years.

CJ Jamison (Greer, S.C.) made a splash for the Valkyries in his debut for Converse, the former North Greenville guard led the Valkyries in points (18), rebounds (9) and in steals (3). Uzziah Dawkins (Spartanburg, S.C.) picked up where he left off last season and finished second on the team with 17 points. Earl Burgess III (Spartanburg, S.C.) led the Valkyries in scoring off the bench with 13 points on the afternoon, while Edoardo Buffo (Milano, Italy) and Leo Da Campo (Venice, Italy) both added 8 points for the Converse offense.  
First Half Notes:

• The Valkyries won the opening tip but a slow start on the offensive side of the ball for both teams ensued.
• Kaydn Dawkins knocked down a three-pointer for Mars Hill to get the scoring started for either side. Edo Buffo hit a three-pointer on the other end of the court to put the Valkyries on the board.
• CJ Jamison and Uzziah Dawkins scored baskets on the Valkyries next few possessions and with 17:11 to play in the opening half, Converse held an 8-3 advantage.
• Following the under 16-minute timeout the two teams had a three-point shooting contest as the two teams combined for 5 consecutive three pointers.
• Following a short scoring draught by each team, Jay Mitchell gave the Valkyries life with an alley-oop slam from Joel Pullen. The dunk gave Converse a 25-18 advantage with and forced Mars Hill to call timeout with 9:30 remaining in the period.
• The timeout proved timely for the Lions as they cut into the Valkyries lead, but with 6:04 to go in the half, Earl Burgess III knocked down a three-pointer to give Converse a 30-25 lead.
• Converse went into the halftime break up 40-34 over Mars Hill. The Valkyries shot an even 50 percent from the field, 31 percent from three-point range and 83 percent from the free throw line.

Second Half Notes:

• Coming out of the halftime intermission, Buffo hit his second three pointer of the contest to extend the Valkyries lead to 43-34. The Valkyries started the second half on a 9-5 run against the Lions.
• With 15:03 to play in the second half Malcolm Morgan made a layup and the Valkyries led 51-41. Moments later the Valkyries led by 13 following a Dawkins three-pointer at the 13:38 mark.
• A few minutes later, Joel Pullen hit a pair of free throws to advance the Valkyries lead to 60-43. The Valkyries continued to stifle the Lions offense and with 7:28 to play Dawkins made a layup to give Converse a decisive 67-47 advantage over Mars Hill.
• A Burgess III jumper with 6:08 to play gave the Valkyries their largest lead of the game at 71-49. The Lions used a 9-0 run to try and get back in the match but a timely timeout from Converse ended the Mars Hill offensive spurt.
• Mars Hill was never able to get back in the match as Converse outscored the Lions 40-28 in the second half. The Valkyries shot 51 percent from the field, 30 percent from three-point range and 69 percent from the free throw line.

Stat Leaders:
Points – Jamison (18), Dawkins (17), Burgess III (13)
Rebounds – Jamison (9), Da Campo (7)
Assists – Dawkins (5)

Next Up:
The men's basketball team will be back in action tomorrow evening against Wingate University. The game is set for a 5:00 p.m. tip inside Cuddy Arena.

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