Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Converse University

The Official Website of Converse University Valkyries Athletics
Earl Burgess III looks to pass the ball against Lenoir-Rhyne
70
King (TN) King 2-5,0-1 Conference Carolinas
74
Winner Converse Conv 8-0,2-0 Conference Carolinas
King (TN) King
2-5,0-1 Conference Carolinas
70
Final
74
Converse Conv
8-0,2-0 Conference Carolinas
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
King (TN) King 38 32 70
Converse Conv 38 36 74

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Valkyries Grind Out Hard Fought Win Over King

SPARTANBURG, S.C. –  The Converse University men's basketball team defeated King University 74-70 on Saturday afternoon inside the Weisiger Center.

With the win the Valkyries improve to 8-0 overall and 2-0 in Conference Carolinas action. Converse continues their best start in school history as they stay perfect on the season. The Valkyries have won three straight against the Tornado dating back to last season and Converse remains perfect against King inside the Weisiger Center. Meanwhile, King drops to 2-5 overall and 0-1 in Conference Carolinas play.

Edoardo Buffo tied his career high with 21-points against the Tornado on Saturday afternoon. Uzziah Dawkins finished second on the team with 18 points and Earl Burgess III added 17 points off the bench against King. Burgess III led the team with 12 rebounds, while Buffo had a team high 6 assists.

First Half Notes:
  • Converse won the opening tip but it was Mikhail Pocknett who scored the first basket of the King. On the Valkyries next possession down the court, Joel Pullen found Leonardo Da Campo for the Valkyries first point of the game.
  • Over the next few minutes of game time the two teams matched each other shot for shot. Buffo found Jamison for the Valkyries eighth point of the contest. However, going into the first media timeout the Valkyries trailed 9-8 to King.
  • With 8:53 to play in the opening half, Da Campo found Dawkins for a key three-pointer and the Valkyries finally had breathing room with a 26-22 lead.
  • The Valkyries lead was short lived as the Tornado tied the match up moments later. Going into the halftime break the two teams were deadlocked at 38.
  • Converse shot 55 percent from the field in the opening half, they shot 33 percent from three-point range and 62 percent from the free throw line.
Second Half Notes:
  • Coming out of the halftime intermission, neither team was able to click on their opening shots. With 18:59 left in the game Eli Elston hit a three-pointer to give King the early advantage in the period.
  • Dawkins scored the first field of the period for the Valkyries with a layup at the 17:01 mark of the half.
  • For a majority of the half the two teams matched one another shot for shot as points were hard to come by. Wit 2:28 to play in the game, Burgess III made a layup and the ensuing free throw to give Converse a much needed 67-62 lead over King.
  • Down the stretch the Valkyries began to build off the momentum from the crowd and pulled away late against the Tornado. Buffo knocked down a three-pointer late in the period and cemented the Valkyries eighth win of the season.
  • Converse outscored King 36-32 in the second half, shot 40 percent from the field, 16 percent from three-point range and 68 percent from the free throw line. 
Stat Leaders:
Points – Buffo (21), Dawkins (18), Burgess III (17)
Rebounds – Burgess III (12), Dawkins (6), Jamison (6)
Assists – Buffo (6), Da Campo (3)

Next Up:
The men's basketball team will hit the road this week with a midweek matchup against Belmont Abbey. Tip-off is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start in Belmont, N.C.    

Follow Converse
https://www.facebook.com/ConverseValkyries
Twitter: @Valkyries_MBB
Instagram: @valkyries_mbb
Youtube.com/Converse Athletics
 
Print Friendly Version