SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Junior forward Amaia Parkins made her presence known in the paint this afternoon, as she swatted 5 shots against Barton, unfortunately it was not enough as Converse fell 65-49 on Saturday afternoon inside the Weisiger Center.     

With the loss Converse falls to 8-13 overall and 4-8 in Conference Carolinas play. The Valkyries have now lost three straight games, dating back to last Saturday afternoon's loss to Young Harris. Barton improved to 7-13 overall on the season and 6-5 in Conference Carolinas action this season.

Zariyah Washington led the Valkyries with 13-points and Sydney Wilson finished second on the team with 11-points. Wilson, led the team with 7 rebounds while Jordan Brown finished second on the team with 6 rebounds.

First Quarter Notes:

• Converse won the opening tip-off but both teams missed the basket on their opening possessions.
• Jordan Brown got the scoring going for the Valkyries with a layup at the 8:21 mark of the period. Moments later, Washington gave Converse a 4-0 advantage with 7:36 to play in the quarter.
• Nyla Powell scored the first three-points of the game for Barton with a free throw and a layup opportunity at the 6:31 juncture of the first quarter.
• Converse ended the first quarter on a 5-0 run and went into the quarter break with a 15-9 advantage over Barton.
• Converse shot 43 percent from the field, 16 percent from beyond the arch and did not attempt a free throw in the quarter.

Second Quarter Notes:

• In the second quarter the offense was limited on both sides, as Barton edged out Converse 11-8 in the period.
• An early 6-0 run in the second stanza, concluded with a game-tying jumper from Lauren Walker with 6:51 to play.
• Washington broke the 17 all tie with a basket of her to give Converse a late first half lead over Barton. A Wilson layup at the 2:41 mark of the quarter gave Converse a 23-20 advantage.
• The match was scoreless on both sides over the final 2:41 of game time, allowing Converse to take a 23-20 advantage over the Bulldogs.
• In the second quarter Converse shot 25 percent from the field, 0 percent from three-point range and they did not attempt in the second quarter.

Third Quarter Notes:

• Coming out of the halftime intermission, Alisa Davenport scored and the Valkyries clung to a 25-20 advantage.
• Lauren Walker scored the first points of the second half for the Bulldogs and Barton was once again back within a trio of points against Converse.
• Erial Owens tied the game at 27 with 6:59 to play in the quarter and Lauren Mingo gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the second half a few moments later.
• Quickly the Valkyries found themselves down seven points, following an 8-1 run by the Bulldog offense.
• Jordan Brown ended the scoring drought for the Valkyries with a layup at the 4:19 mark of the stanza.
• Converse went into the final quarter of play trailing 38-34. The Valkyries shot 35 percent from the field, 0 percent from three-point range and 33 percent from the free throw line.

Fourth Quarter Notes:

• The first points of the quarter for both sides were scored at the free throw line and it was a sign of things to come with how physical the game had turned.
• Nyla Powell scored the first field goal of the period for Barton and the Bulldogs once again held a seven point advantage.
• Moments later Jordan Brown made the first field goal for Converse and the Valkyries were back within striking distance of Barton down a trio of points.
• Mingo made a fastbreak basket at the 4:41 mark of the fourth quarter and the Bulldogs held a 50-39 advantage. At the other end of the court Erial Owens picked up a fifth foul and a technical foul by the officials and the Valkyries on three of the four free throws given.
• Then with a 1:24 to play in the quarter a scrum broke out on the hardwood as players had to be separated by coaches. Owens left the bench for the Bulldogs and was ejected from the game.
• Mingo was given the second technical for Barton and Sierra Jones was called for an intentional foul as well. Converse once again converted on three-of-four free throw attempts to pull back within single digits of Barton.
• Barton went on to win 65-49 over the Valkyries. In the final quarter of action, Converse shot 15 percent from the field, 33 percent from three-point range and 71 percent from the free throw line.

Stat Leaders:
Points – Washington (13), Wilson (11)
Rebounds – Wilson (7), Brown (6)
Assists – Brown (4)
Blocks – Parkins (5)

Next Up:
The women's basketball team will hit the road this coming week as they venture down to Columbia for a midweek matchup against Allen University.

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