DUE WEST, S.C. – The Converse University men's basketball team had a strong opening half as they defeated Erskine 67-55 inside Belk Arena on Wednesday night.
With the win the Valkyries improve to 18-10 overall and 10-8 in Conference Carolinas action this season. Converse improves to 4-0 all-time against the Flying Fleet and clinches the No. 7 seed in the upcoming Conference Carolinas Championships tournament. Erskine, meanwhile, falls to 6-21 overall and 1-17 in Conference Carolinas play this season.
C.J. Jamison led the Valkyries with 16-points,
Uzziah Dawkins finished second on the team with 14-points and
Isac Ahnstrand posted a career high 10-points in the win for the Converse.
Earl Burgess III led the team with 10-rebounds, while
Malcolm Morgan led the team with five assists.
First Half Notes:
- Converse won the opening tip and Morgan found Dawkins for the first three-pointer of the game. Erskine answered with a three-pointer of their own at the other end of the court.
- The Flying fleet took their first lead of the game, following their second consecutive three pointer to start the match.
- In fact, the Flying Fleet started the game on an 11-5 run. A 5-0 run by the Valkyries offense had Converse back in the match down 11-10 with 14:11 to play in the period.
- Back-to-back Ahnstrand three-pointers capped a 13-2 Converse run. The Valkyries held a 18-13 advantage with 11:57 to play in the half.
- Over the next few minutes of game time, the Valkyries continued to push on the offensive side of the ball and held a nine point lead on two different occasions.
- Despite the 26-17 lead, the Valkyries were once again fending off an Erskine run. The Flying Fleet used a 7-0 run to pull back within a pair of the Valkyries.
- The game continued to be close until the final 2:16 of the opening half, Converse used a 6-0 run to take a 41-33 lead into the halftime break.
- Converse shot 57 percent from the field, 60 percent from three-point range and 100 percent from the free throw line.
Second Half Notes:
- Malcolm Morgan scored the first points of the second half at the 19:15 mark of the period. After a few minutes of scoreless basketball for each team, Jamison hit a three-pointer to give Converse a 47-33 advantage.
- Christian Monroe ended the Valkyries run with a three-pointer at the 14:41 mark of the second half.
- The Flying Fleet then used an 8-0 run to cut into the Valkyries deficit, as they trailed 49-44 with just 12:56 to play in the game.
- Scoring proved to be difficult on both ends of the court, but with 8:47 to play, Jamison gave Converse a 58-48 advantage following a free throw.
- Dawkins scored the final five points of the game, as Converse outscored Erskine 9-7 overall the final 8:30 of game time.
- Converse outscored Erskine 26-22 in the second half, shooting 30 percent from the field, 14 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free throw line.
Stat Leaders:
Points – Jamison (16), Dawkins (14), Ahnstrand (10)
Rebounds – Burgess III (10), Ahnstrand (6), Dawkins (5)
Assists – Morgan (5), Dawkins (3)
Next Up:
The men's basketball team will hit the road this weekend and will face North Greenville in Banner Elk, N.C. on Sunday evening.
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