Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Converse University

The Official Website of Converse University Valkyries Athletics
Caleb Reams drives to the basket
72
Winner Converse Conv 6-9,5-4 Conference Carolinas
66
North Greenville NG 8-11,4-6 Conference Carolinas
Winner
Converse Conv
6-9,5-4 Conference Carolinas
72
Final
66
North Greenville NG
8-11,4-6 Conference Carolinas
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Converse Conv 40 32 72
North Greenville NG 30 36 66

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Valkyries Hold Off Late Trailblazers Rally To Pickup First Road Win of the Season

TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The Converse University men's basketball team defeated North Greenville 72-66 on Wednesday evening inside Hayes Gymnasium.
 
With the win Converse snaps a two game losing streak and improves to 6-9 overall on the season and 5-4 in Conference Carolinas action. The victory also gives the Valkyries sole possession of second place in the Northwest Division standings. Meanwhile, North Greenville falls to 8-11 overall and 4-6 in Conference Carolinas play.
 
Caleb Reams led the team with a 16-point outing against the Trailblazers on Wednesday evening. Edoardo Buffo finished second on the team with 14-points, and Earl Burgess III contributed 12-points off the bench. Burgess III led the team with 11 rebounds, posting his first double-double of the season. Leo Da Campo finished second on the team with seven rebounds, and Ben Jones finished third on the team with six rebounds. Reams also led the team with five assists on the night, while Jay Mitchell and Joel Pullen both contributed a trio of assists in the victory.
 
First Half Notes:
  • On the Valkyries first possession down the court, Ben Jones found Caleb Reams for the opening three-pointer of the game. A few minutes later, Da Campo made a layup off an assist from Reams to give Converse a 5-2 advantage.
  • With 16:16 to play in the half, Jones and Reams connected on their second three-pointer of the period and the Valkyries held an 8-4 lead over the Trailblazers.
  • Michael Wilson Jr., scored the first points from the field for North Greenville with a fast break three-pointer at the 15:33 mark of the first half.
  • At the 14:17 mark of the period, North Greenville capped off an 8-0 offensive spurt and took their first lead of the match at 15-10. The quick run prompted Converse to use an early timeout.
  • Burgess III ended the run with a jumper in the paint and Buffo hit a three-pointer out of the media timeout to tie the match at 15.
  • Over the next few minutes of game action the two teams went back-and-forth down the court.
  • With 7:15 to play in the half, Burgess III dunked the ball and ignited a 6-0 run by the Converse offense.
  • At the 3:40 mark of the period, Buffo connected on his second consecutive three-pointer and gave Converse a 38-28 lead over North Greenville.
  • Neither team scored over the final two minutes of game time and Converse took a 40-30 lead into the halftime intermission. The Valkyries shot 46 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range, and 60 percent from the free throw line.
 
Second Half Notes:
  • Coming out of the halftime break, North Greenville scored a three-pointer on their opening possession to cut the lead to single digits.
  • Just like the first half, Jay Mitchell found Reams for a three-pointer and the first points of the half for Converse.
  • Following the made basket, the Converse offense went silent over the next five minutes of game time. The scoring drought allowed North Greenville to cut the lead down to a single point at 43-42.
  • Kyle Monk ended the scoring drought with a three-pointer at the 12:57 mark of the second half.
  • With 11:15 to play in the game, North Greenville hit a three-pointer and the Trailblazers held their first lead of the second half at 47-46.
  • The lead was short lived as Burgess III and Monk connected on the Valkyries next three possessions to give Converse a 52-49 edge.
  • A few minutes later, Buffo hit a three-pointer with 6:13 to play and the Valkyries once again had a double-digit lead at 61-51.
  • In the final moments of the contest, North Greenville made one final push and was able to pull within a trio of points on multiple occasions against Converse.
  • The Valkyries converted on their free throw attempts down the stretch and held on to win 72-66.
  • Converse was outscored 36-32 in the second half, shooting 37 percent from the field, 25 percent from three-point range, and 77 percent from the free throw line.
 
Stat Leaders:
Points – Reams (16), Buffo (14), Burgess III (12)
Rebounds – Burgess III (11), Da Campo (7), Jones (6)
Assists – Reams (5), Mitchell (3), Pullen (3)

Next Up:
The men's basketball team will be back at home this Saturday afternoon against UNC Pembroke. Tip-off is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start inside the Weisiger Center.   
 
Follow Converse
https://www.facebook.com/ConverseValkyries
Twitter: @Valkyries_MBB
Instagram: @valkyries_mbb
Youtube.com/Converse Athletics
 
Print Friendly Version