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Kervens Yacinthe drives to the basket against Morris College
97
Winner Converse Conv 9-1,3-1 Conference Carolinas
87
Francis Marion FMU 3-8,1-2 Conference Carolinas
Winner
Converse Conv
9-1,3-1 Conference Carolinas
97
Final
87
Francis Marion FMU
3-8,1-2 Conference Carolinas
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Converse Conv 39 58 97
Francis Marion FMU 40 47 87

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

#22 Converse Spoils Francis Marion Home Opener

FLORENCE, S.C. –  The Converse University men's basketball team shot 67 percent in the second half and defeated Francis Marion 97-87 on Monday night inside the Smith University Center.

With the win the Valkyries improve to 9-1 overall and 3-1 in Conference Carolinas action. Converse has now won three straight matchups against the Patriots and picked up their first ever win in the Smith University Center. Meanwhile, Francis Marion falls to 3-8 overall and 1-2 in Conference Carolinas play.

CJ Jamison and Earl Burgess III tied for the team lead 19-points each, Uzziah Dawkins contributed 18-points, Edoardo Buffo finished with 14-points, Joel Pullen added 12-points and Kervens Yacinthe had 10-points off the bench for Converse. Jamison led the team with 9 rebounds, while Pullen had a team high 5 assists.

First Half Notes:
  • Francis Marion won the opening tip-off but Bryce Beamer was called for an offensive foul and turned the ball over to the Valkyries. Neither side was able to capitalize on their first few possessions as Farid Saintcyr Jr, scored the first points for either side with 18:52 to play in the half.
  • In fact, the Patriots opened the game on a 6-0 run over the first three minutes of game action. Uzziah Dawkins finally got the Valkyries on the board with a three-pointer at the 16:51 mark of the period.
  • The three-pointer by Dawkins ignited the Valkyries offense as they went on a 14-4 run and took their first lead of the match with 13:53 to play in the half.
  • The two teams then matched each other shot-for-shot over the next several minutes of game time. A few moments later, a Marlow Gilmore Jr., jumper gave Francis Marion a 7-point advantage with 5:44 to go in the period.
  • Kervens Yacinthe proved to be pivotal spark off the bench for Converse as he scored 10-points over the final 5:43 of the half to keep the Valkyries in the match. The Valkyries went into the halftime break trailing 40-39.
  • Converse shot 43 percent in the first half, 40 percent from three-point range and 50 percent from the free throw line.
Second Half Notes:
  • Coming out of the halftime break, Joel Pullen and CJ Jamison combined to score the first eight points of the period to give Converse a 47-40 advantage over Francis Marion. The fast start prompted the Patriots to call an early timeout.
  •  Gilmore Jr., scored the first three-points of the half for Francis Marion to chip away at the Valkyries lead.
  • Over the next few minutes of game action the two teams traded baskets with one another and the Patriots stayed within striking distance of Converse. Gilmore Jr., made a fastbreak slam dunk to trim the Valkyries lead to 63-60.
  • The Valkyries took the momentum back with a quick 7-0 spurt over the next 60 seconds of game time. The offensive spurt gave Converse a 70-60 advantage going into the next media timeout.
  • Converse continued to hold the Patriots at bay and eventually held an 82-66 lead with 7:14 to play in the game.
  • Despite a 16-point advantage, the Valkyries saw their lead evaporate as Francis Marion went on a 15-1 run over the next five minutes of game action.
  • Following a timeout, Dawkins, Pullen and Burgess III scored three straight baskets and the Valkyries were back on top by eight points.
  • Converse converted on their free throw attempts down the stretch to maintain their 10-point advantage over the Patriots.
  • Converse shot 67 percent in the second half, 55 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the free throw line.  
Stat Leaders:
Points – Jamison (19), Burgess III (19), Dawkins (18), Buffo (14), Pullen (12), Yacinthe (10)
Rebounds – Jamison (9), Dawkins (5), Burgess III (4), Yacinthe (4)
Assists – Pullen (5), Burgess III (4), Buffo (4)

Next Up:
The men's basketball team will be back in action Saturday, December 30th at 4:00 p.m. inside the Weisiger Center. The Valkyries will host Limestone in their first game back from the Holiday break.

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