FERRUM, Va. – The Converse University men's basketball team scored 63 points in the second half on Saturday afternoon, but it was not enough as the Valkyries fell 100-93 to Ferrum inside Swartz Gymnasium.
 
With today's loss the Valkyries snap a two game winning streak and fall to 5-6 overall on the season and 3-3 in Conference Carolinas action. Meanwhile, Ferrum improves to 4-6 overall and 3-2 in Conference Carolinas play.
 
Redshirt freshman guard Will Fowler (Duncan, S.C.) reset the Valkyries scoring record for the second time this season. On Saturday afternoon, Fowler scored a program record 37 points against Ferrum, going 10-19 from the field, 4-9 from three-point range and 13-15 from the free throw line. Jordyn Surratt (Spartanburg, S.C.) posted his third double-double of the season with a 21-point, 11-rebound performance against the Panthers.
 
Converse won the opening tip-off and Surratt was fouled on the first possession of the game. The senior converted on a pair of free throws to open up the scoring for both sides. Ferrum knocked down a three on their opening possession, the made basket jump started a 12-0 Panthers run.
 
With 15:34 to play in the opening half, Fowler made a tip-in basket to end the Valkyries five minute scoring drought. A few possessions later, Latavian Lawrence (Aiken, S.C.) hit a three-pointer and the Valkyries were back within striking distance down 12-7.
 
Coming out of the media timeout, Ferrum used an 8-2 run and rebuilt a double-digit lead against the Valkyries. Once again, Converse began to chip away at the Panthers lead and midway through the first half Surratt threw down a dunk and the Valkyries trailed 24-19. Converse continued to put pressure on Ferrum, with 5:38 to play in the period Fowler hit a three-pointer and the Valkyries trailed 24-23.
 
It went back-and-forth the remainder of the period, but it was Ferrum that went into the locker room up 39-30. Converse shot 43 percent in the first half, 28 percent from three-point range and 61 percent from the free throw line.
 
Camden Edmonds (King, N.C.) got the scoring going for both sides with a layup on the Valkyries opening possession of the half. Ferrum then countered with an 8-0 run against the Valkyries and built a 47-32 advantage.
 
The Panthers continued to hold a double-digit advantage until Fowler hit a three-pointer making the score 54-45 in favor of Ferrum with 13:47 to play in the game. Over the next several minutes of game action, the two teams went back-and-forth trading baskets with one another.
 
Then with 9:33 to play in the contest, Converse started to make their move down 63-50. A pair of free throws by both Surratt and Fowler had the Valkyries back within a single digit margin of the Panthers. A fastbreak layup by Surratt had the Valkyries within a pair of possessions down 63-57 to Ferrum.
 
Despite the Valkyries offensive outburst in the second half the Valkyries were never able to overcome the deficit to Ferrum. On two different occasions, Converse had pulled within five points of the Panthers. However, the Panthers countered and led by as many as 17-points with 3:33 to play in the game. A late rally by the Valkyries came up short in the final minutes of the contest, Tre Locklear (Boiling Springs, S.C.) scored the final three-pointer of the game, making it 100-93 in favor of Ferrum.
 
Converse outscored Ferrum 63-61 in the second half, shooting 51 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point range and 84 percent from the free throw line.  
 
Stats:
Points: Fowler (37), Surratt (21), Locklear (10)
Rebounds: Surratt (11), Lawrence (8), Fowler (6)
Assists: Fowler (2), Edmonds (2)

Next Up:
The men's basketball team will stay on the road with a trip to Lees-McRae on Tuesday evening. Tip-off is currently slated for 7:00 p.m. in Banner Elk, N.C.
 
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