Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan dropped a close match-up against the Converse Valkyries on Saturday afternoon in a 58-61 final score.

Southern Wesleyan shot 29.5% from the field and went 72% from the free throw line.  Aneysa Williams led the team with 15 points.  She was followed by Emily Waters and Brooke Henricks with 11 points each.  The Warriors recorded 10 assists, with Waters leading the team with five.

The Warriors had 39 rebounds in the loss, with Emily Waters collecting nine.  She was followed by Brooke Henricks with six and Halee Morrison with five.  Henricks continued to impress on the court with four of the 10 steals of the afternoon.

Game Vitals

Final: Converse 61, Southern Wesleyan 58

Records: Southern Wesleyan (1-12 / CC 1-6) Converse (2-14 / CC 1-6)

Coach Davis says…

"It was a disappointing game on our end.  We showed some good effort being able to take the lead, but credit to Converse on hitting timely shots and just playing hard.  Getting to a level of success takes a lot of resolve and people that want to self-lead to work to improve and a team that wants to be pushing each other from behind.  Our message will be consistent and we will continue fill the hearts of these young ladies."

How It Happened

Converse put the first points on the board, but seconds later Aneysa Williams put up a 3-pointer to give Southern Wesleyan a 3-2 advantage.  The Valkyries countered to tie and then take the lead on a layup by Alexis McMillian.  Their lead was short lived as Williams sunk her second 3-point shot to make the score 7-7.  The Valkyries continued to challenge the Warriors, but a 3-pointer by Caroline Reese kept Southern Wesleyan within two points.

Southern Wesleyan regained the lead on free throws by Brooke Henricks.  Caroline Reese sunk a 3-pointer, but the Valkyries challenged right back with a six-point run to allow them to regain a 20-19 point advantage over the Warriors.  Converse continued to push ahead to lead 30-24 at the halftime.

The Valkyries kicked off the third quarter with a layup by Alexis McMillian, but Southern Wesleyan challenged right back with free throws by Aneysa Williams.  Layups by Emily Waters and Brooke Henricks to put the Warriors within seven points.  The Warriors continued to fight back with layups by Denisha Hall to keep Southern Wesleyan within striking distance.

The Warriors kicked off the final quarter with a layup by Lisana Burnett to tie the game 44-44.  Converse regained the lead, but a layup by Tanayja Williams tied it back up.  The Valkyries continued to challenge the Warriors every move, but the Warriors fought right back as free throws by Emily Waters and Aneysa Waters put Southern Wesleyan back on top 54-52.  Despite the late challenge, the Valkyries finished on top in a 61-58 final.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will next enter a three game road trip.  They will kick off their road trip on January 8 as they take on the North Greenville Crusaders at 5:30.  They will remain on the road on January 11 against Belmont Abbey and January 15 against Erskine.