SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University men's basketball team fell 73-58 to UNC Pembroke on Saturday afternoon inside the Weisiger Center.
With the loss the Valkyries fall to 17-10 overall and 9-8 in Conference Carolinas action. Meanwhile, UNC Pembroke improved to a 21-5 overall record and a 15-2 record in Conference Carolinas play.
Uzziah Dawkins led the team with 20-points and
Joel Pullen finished second on the team with 12-points against the Braves.
CJ Jamison finished with a team high 7 rebounds in the loss to the Braves.
First Half Notes:
- UNC Pembroke won the opening tip-off and scored on their first possession of the game. Following a pair of empty possessions by the Valkyries offense, the Braves scored their second field goal of the contest.
- Following an early timeout by Converse, the Valkyries finally got on the board with a midrange jumper by Joel Pullen.
- With 15:15 to play in the contest, Javonte Waverly scored for the Braves and UNC Pembroke held a 15-2 advantage over the Valkyries.
- Leading 17-6 with 12:06 to play in the half, the Valkyries started to make a comeback and put a dent in the Braves lead.
- The Valkyries used a 13-7 run to get back in the game and Malcolm Morgan ended the run with a fastbreak layup. The Braves called a timeout holding onto a slim 24-19 advantage over Converse.
- Despite the Valkyries best efforts they were unable to keep up the momentum on the offensive side of the ball. As they went on a six minute scoring drought and allowed UNC Pembroke to take a 36-19 lead.
- Converse ended the half with the momentum however, as they used a 6-1 run to cut into the Braves 37-25 lead.
- Converse shot 33 percent from the field in the opening half, 10 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line.
Second Half Notes:
- Jay Mitchell put the Valkyries on the board first with a layup at the 18:37 mark of the half. The layup ignited the Valkyries offense as they started to make a run against UNC Pembroke.
- With 13:09 to play in the second half, Leo Da Campo capped off a 19-7 Valkyrie run with a steal and a fast break layup. The layup tied the game at 44 and forced UNC Pembroke to use a timeout.
- The Valkyries completely erased a 17-point UNC Pembroke lead and held a 51-50 advantage following and Earl Burgess III jumper.
- Although the Valkyries lead lasted under a minute, the Valkyries continued to hang around and pressure the Braves offense.
- The Valkyries last made field goal came at the 4:49 mark of the game and the Braves were able to end the contest on a 16-2 run.
- In the second half the Valkyries were outscored 36-33, shooting 56 percent from the field, 16 percent from three point range and 75 percent from the free throw line.
Stat Leaders:
Points – Dawkins (20), Pullen (12)
Rebounds – Jamison (7), Morgan (4)
Assists – Dawkins (2), Jamison (2)
Next Up:
The men's basketball team will finish the regular season on the road at Erskine this coming week. The game is set for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off time between the Valkyries and the Flying Fleet.
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