SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University men's basketball team outlasted Francis Marion 81-78 in front of a sold-out crowd inside the Weisiger Center on Monday Night in the Second Round of the Atlantic Casualty Insurance Conference Carolinas Men's Basketball Championships.
With the win Converse improves to 15-14 on the season and move on to the quarterfinals round on Friday night against the No. 3 seed Barton. The win also gave the Valkyries their second consecutive victory over Francis Marion this season. The Patriots season ends with a 14-14 record.
Bosko Bojovic and
Uzziah Dawkins both finished with 20-points for the Valkyries, while
NyGel Boozer finished close behind with 19-points.
Earl Burgess III contributed 10-points off the bench for the Valkyries.
1st Half Notes:
- Converse won the opening tip-off but missed their opening jump shot, allowing Bryce Beamer and Francis Marion to get the first points of the contest.
- On the Valkyries next possession Dawkins found Boozer for the go-ahead three-pointer. The two teams traded the lead and were even tied at 7 with 16:21 to play in the half.
- Francis Marion went on a 6-0 run after the Valkyries turned the ball over twice in consecutive possessions.
- Following an early timeout from the Valkyries coaching staff, Burgess III scored coming out of the break in the action. A missed shot by Francis Marion and made jumper by Boozer at the other end had the Valkyries back within a pair of the Patriots.
- With 11:00 minutes to play in the half the Valkyries trailed 22-18, Boozer knocked down a three pointer and Converse was once again back within a point. On the Valkyries next possession Burgess III hit a pair of free throws to give Converse a 23-22 lead.
- The lead was short lived as Francis Marion used another run to get back out in front 30-25.
- The Valkyries went with punches thrown by Francis Marion and back-to-back baskets by Jay Mitchell and Bojovic had Converse right back in the game at 30-29.
- The final moments of the first half stayed close between the two teams as they ended the period deadlocked at 37.
- Converse shot 52 percent from the field, 33 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the free throw line.
2nd Half Notes:
- In the second half Alex Cox gave Francis Marion their first basket of the half and a 39-37 lead. Dawkins and the Valkyries answered back with a three-pointer on the opening possession to take just their fourth lead of the game.
- Moments later Francis Marion used a quick 4-0 spurt to force Converse to use an early timeout with 17:31. The Patriots scored coming out of the timeout break following a missed shot by Converse and they once again held a 49-43 advantage.
- Converse responded with a 9-0 run the largest run by either side in the game to take back the lead with 15:20 to play in the game.
- Francis Marion used a timeout to cool off the Valkyries hot shooting, the Patriots ended up tying the matchup once again on their first possession following the break in the action.
- Over the next six minutes of playing time Francis Marion held a seven-point lead on three different occasions. However, the Valkyries kept hanging around and waiting to strike at the opportune moment.
- With 4:24 to go in the match the Valkyries began to make their final push in the game. Converse got to the free throw line on back-to-back possession, both Boozer and Dawkins converted and Converse trailed by 1.
- At the 2:56 mark in the game Bojovic gave the Valkyries the go-ahead basket at 72-71. Following a defensive stop, Dawkins hit a jumper to give Converse a bit of breathing room at 74-71.
- The Valkyries clung to a 74-71 lead with 21 seconds to go in the game. Coming out of a timeout break Alex Cox fouled Dawkins at midcourt, a Francis Marion coach was not happy with the call as he stood on the court outside the coach's box. A technical foul was given and Dawkins hit four foul shots to give Converse a 78-71 advantage.
- The Valkyries made their free throws down the stretch but had to hold off a valiant comeback by Francis Marion. Beamer sank a half court shot as time expired but it was to late as the Valkyries held on for the win.
- Converse outscored Francis Marion 44-41 in the second half, they shot 46 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point range and 70 percent from the free throw line.
Stat Leaders:
Points – Dawkins (20), Bojovic (20), Boozer (19), Burgess III (10)
Rebounds – Bojovic (8), Burgess III (6)
Assists – Dawkins (5)
Next Up:
The Valkyries will travel across the street on Friday night as they battle #3 Barton in the quarterfinals round. Tip-off is slated for 8:30 p.m. at Wofford College.
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