TIGERVILLE, S.C. – Converse University junior guard
Uzziah Dawkins rewrote the record books on Wednesday evening when scored a new program record and personal best 30-points against North Greenville in a 76-73 come from behind victory for Converse inside Hayes Gymnasium.
Converse improves to 12-11 overall and 10-5 in Conference Carolinas action. The Valkyries have now won five straight games dating back to a January 18
th win over Southern Wesleyan. Free throws proved to be a difference maker in the game on Wednesday night as the Valkyries got to the line 18 times in the second half, while North Greenville only attempted five free throws in the final half of play. Converse also proved to be tougher on the glass as they outrebounded the Crusaders 33-28 in the game.
Dawkins not only led the team in points but he also finished with a team high in rebounds (10), assists (5) and tied for the team lead in blocks with two on the night.
Earl Burgess III finished the night with a season high 18-points, while
Bosko Bojovic extended his double figure scoring streak with a 14-point outing against North Greenville.
First Half Notes:
- Converse won the opening tip-off and scored on its first possession when Bojovic scored off an offensive rebound. Caleb Williams scored the first points of the game for North Greenville with 19:36 to play in the half.
- Bojovic was the Valkyries offensive catalyst in the opening few minutes of the game as he scored the teams first seven points. Going into the first media timeout of the period the Valkyries led 7-4.
- It was a defensive battle for much of the first half as the teams remained tied at 13 with 8:05 to play in the half.
- Over the next four minutes of game time, North Greenville used a 10-2 run to take a 23-15 advantage over the Valkyries.
- Converse began to chip away at the Crusaders lead and went into the locker room break trailing 27-24.
- Converse shot 41 percent from the field, 0 percent from three-point range and 100 percent from the free throw line in the opening half.
Second Half Notes:
- Coming out of the halftime intermission, Bojovic once again scored the first points of the period off an offensive rebound. John Haddock Rogers scored on the next possession for North Greenville as they maintained a 29-26 edge over Converse.
- In the early moments of the second half the Valkyries offense was forced to respond to the North Greenville hot shooting offense. Despite the Valkyries best efforts, they trailed 52-39 with 9:58 to play in the game.
- With 6:16 to go in the half, Converse faced a 14-point deficit trailing 65-51. However, the Valkyries were up for the daunting task as they began to once again chip away at the Crusaders lead.
- Over the next four minutes of game time the Valkyries led by Dawkins responded with a 17-0 run and roared back to take a 68-65 lead over North Greenville.
- Converse made all but one free throw down the stretch as they escaped Hayes Gym with a 76-73 win over North Greenville.
- Converse outscored North Greenville 52-46 in the second half and shot 59 percent from the field. The Valkyries shot 66 percent from three-point range and 66 percent from the free throw line.
Stat Leaders:
Points – Dawkins (30), Burgess III (18), Bojovic (14)
Rebounds – Dawkins (10), Bojovic (6), Burgess III (4)
Assists – Dawkins (5)
Next Up:
Converse will be back at home on Saturday afternoon as they battle No. 4 UNC Pembroke inside the Weisiger Center. Tip-off is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start time.
Follow Converse
https://www.facebook.com/ConverseValkyries
Twitter:
@Valkyries_MBB
Instagram:
@valkyries_mbb
Youtube.com/Converse Athletics