SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Converse University redshirt freshman guard Will Fowler (Duncan, S.C.) reset the school record for points in a game with a 35-point performance on Saturday afternoon, the Valkyries defeated Southern Wesleyan 103-96 inside the Weisiger Center.
 
With the win Converse improves to 3-4 overall on the season and 2-1 in Conference Carolinas action. Meanwhile, Southern Wesleyan drops to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in Conference Carolinas play.
 
Fowler and fellow Spartanburg County teammate Jordyn Surratt (Spartanburg, S.C.) became the first Valkyrie teammates since CJ Jamison (Greer, S.C.) and Uzziah Dawkins (Spartanburg, S.C.) to both score 25 or more points in a single game. Fowler's 35-point performance surpasses Jamison's 33-point performance against Coker in 2024 and he becomes just the third player ever to cross the 30-point threshold.
 
Fowler also tied the program record for made free throws in a match with 11 against Southern Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon. Surratt's 12 made shots tied the single game program record at Converse. Dawkins was the last Valkyrie to accomplish the feat on February 1, 2023 against North Greenville.
 
Southern Wesleyan won the opening tip-of but neither team was able to convert on their opening possession. Malachi Cooper got the scoring for both sides with a three-pointer for the Warriors at the 19:23 mark of the opening half. Latavian Lawrence answered at the other end with a three-pointer of his own for the Valkyries.
 
Following back-to-back baskets by Southern Wesleyan, Lawrence scored his second three-pointer of the half to pull the Valkyries within a point at 7-6. A few moments later, the Valkyries found themselves down 12-6 following a technical foul. Camden Edmonds and Fowler both scored to pull the Valkyries back within a basket at 12-10.
 
Trailing 18-13 following a Southern Wesleyan dunk, the Valkyries offense came alive with 14:54 to play in the period. Tre Locklear found Surratt and Fowler on the next two possessions down the court and Converse held a 19-18 edge with 14:05 to play in the half. The two teams then traded baskets the majority of the first half.
 
Tied at 40 with 3:31 to play in the opening frame, Converse used a timely 9-3 offensive spurt to pull away from the Warriors late in the first period. The Valkyries went into the halftime break up 52-45 against Southern Wesleyan. Converse shot 52 percent from the field 38 percent from three-point range and 100 percent from the free throw line.
 
Fowler found Surratt for the opening dunk of the second half and few minutes later, Edmonds knocked down a three-pointer giving Converse a 60-47 edge over the Warriors. The Valkyries maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the second half.
 
Leading 74-64 with just 9:24 to play in the game, Converse saw their double-digit lead erased following a Southern Wesleyan 12-2 run. Despite the late run by the Warriors, the Valkyries stayed composed and fought to maintain their slim single digit lead. Converse converted on their free throw attempts down the stretch and took home a 103-96 win. Converse shot 46 percent from the field, 30 percent from beyond the arch and 81 percent from the free throw line.  
 
Stats:
Points: Fowler (35), Surratt (25), Oree (13)
Rebounds: Lawrence (7), Oree (6), Fowler (4), Surratt (4), Donakis (4)
Assists: Locklear (6), Fowler (3), Surratt (3)

Next Up:
The men's basketball team will be back at home next Saturday afternoon against Belmont Abbey. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. inside the Weisiger Center.         
 
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