BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Converse University men's basketball team posted the best shooting night in school history as a record seven players scored in double-figures to give the Valkyries a 104-91 wire-to-wire win over King University at the Student Center Complex on Wednesday night.

The Valkyries 104-points is a new program record, eclipsing the old mark of 95 set last February against Erskine. The win on Wednesday night was also the Valkyries first ever win outside the state of South Carolina and it was their first season sweep of King in program history. Converse also shot a program best .623 from the field and .682 from beyond the arch.

The win on Wednesday night, Converse improves to 14-13 overall and 12-7 in Conference Carolinas play. Meanwhile, King drops to 6-19 overall and 5-13 in Conference Carolinas action.

Uzziah Dawkins scored his 1,000^th career point on Wednesday night late in the second half. Dawkins finished with a team high 17-points against the Tornado, the junior also led the team in assists (7) and steals (2). Trey Smith finished second on the team with 16-points, Jordan Warlick and Bosko Bojovic contributed 15-points, Nygel Boozer added 14-points and both Jay Mitchell and Earl Burgess III finished with 11-points. This was the first time in school history that at least seven players finished in double-figures in the scoring column and at least four players finished with 15 or more points.

First Half Notes:

• It was a slow start for both teams as NyGel Boozer scored the first three-pointer of the game at the 17:45 mark of the opening half. Boozer scored on the Valkyries next possession as well and the Valkyries led 5-0.
• Chad Dreswick scored the first points for King with 16:34 to play in the period. With 14:10 remaining in the half, the Valkyries held a 9-2 advantage following baskets by Bojovic and Burgess III.
• The Tornado stayed within single digits of the Valkyries for the majority of the half, then with 5:53 remaining Trey Smith sparked a three-point barrage from the Valkyries offense. Smith, Warlick and Aaron Porcil all connected on three-pointers in consecutive trips down the court for Converse.
• The Valkyries shooting stayed hot for the remainder of the period and they went into the halftime break up 48-42.
• Converse shot 59 percent from the field, 72 percent from three-point range and 72 percent from the free throw line.

Second Half Notes:

• Dawkins scored the first points of the second half and started a 9-2 Valkyrie run to begin the period.
• A Michael Mays jumper at the 15:26 mark in the period was the last time the Tornado were within single digits of Converse.
• With 15:10 remaining in the opening half, Bojovic hit a fastbreak jumper and jump started an 8-2 run by the Valkyries offense.
• The Converse offense was nearly unstoppable during parts of the second half as they scored at will and at one point was shooting 85 percent from the field. With 10:57 remaining in the game, Smith hit a three-pointer and Converse led 78-58.
• Converse maintained their 20-point advantage for the majority of the period and with 2:47 to play, Jay Mitchell hit a three-pointer to give the Valkyries their largest lead of the night at 94-71.
• Converse outscored King 56-49 in the second half, the Valkyries shot 65 percent from the field, 63 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the free throw line.

Stat Leaders:
Points – Dawkins (17), Smith (16), Warlick (15), Bojovic (15), Boozer (14), Mitchell (11), Burgess III (11)
Rebounds – Bojovic (9), Dawkins (5), Burgess III (4)
Assists – Dawkins (7), Warlick (3), Bojovic (3)

Next Up:
Converse will have almost a week off before traveling to the Peach State next Tuesday night to play Emmanuel. Tip-off is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start time.  

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