Spartanburg, SC – Southern Wesleyan defeated the Converse Valkyries in a 57-54 final score on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors shot 38% from the field and went 60% from the free throw line in their third victory of the year.  Emily Waters led the team with 17 points, scoring her 1000 collegiate career point within the first minute of the game.  Waters was followed by Lisana Burnett with 14 points and Denisha Hall with 10.  Hall led the team with four of the nine assists.

The Warriors had 39 rebounds in the victory over the Valkyries.  Both Emily Waters and Lisana Burnett recorded double-doubles in the game.  Burnett led the team with 13 rebounds and Waters followed with 11.  Burnett had the lone block and five of the 12 steals of the afternoon.

Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 57, Converse 54

Records: Southern Wesleyan (3-20 / 3-14) Converse (3-22 / 2-14)

Coach Davis says...

"Loved the fight in our team today.  We did not play our best, but we made the plays when needed and Converse made some big plays to keep it close.  Proud of our response.  Happy for Emily Waters and this accomplishment in her career."

How It Happened

Southern Wesleyan kicked off the game with a jump shot by Emily Waters, allowing her to score 1000 collegiate point, and putting the Warriors on top 2-0.  The Valkyries countered to tie it up on a jump shot by Alexis McMillian.  The Warriors regained the lead as Waters and Lisana Burnett made baskets to put Southern Wesleyan's lead at 6-2.  However, their lead was short lived as Alexis McMillian and Ellen Nardella sunk the ball into the net to put Converse on top by three points.

Down 14-6 to kick off the second quarter, Tanayja Williams recovered a defensive rebound and then drove the ball to the net to put Southern Wesleyan within six points.  Southern Wesleyan continued to put on the pressure with layups by Denisha Hall and Aneysa Williams to make the score 13-16.  The Warriors maintained the challenge as Lisana Burnett made a layup with eighteen seconds left on the clock to put Southern Wesleyan down 19-21 going into half time.

Southern Wesleyan charged out of the gates in the third quarter as Tanayja Williams made a jump shot to tie the game.  Converse fought back, going on a five point run to put the Valkyries back on top 27-22.  However, layups by Aneysa Williams and Emily Waters allowed the Warriors to come back within one point.  Southern Wesleyan concluded the third quarter with layups by Lisana Burnett and a three pointer by Hall to give the Warriors a 39-35 point lead.

The Warriors would not be silenced in the fourth quarter as Emily Waters sunk two more jump shots to put Southern Wesleyan on top of Converse 43-35.  Southern Wesleyan continued to distance themselves from Converse with baskets by Lisana Burnett and Aneysa Williams, taking a 50-39 point.  However, Converse would not go down quietly as they got back within five on a three point shot by Ellen Nardella.  Southern Wesleyan went on to win the game 57-54.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road as they travel up to Banner Elk, NC to take on the Lees-McRae Bobcats on February 12.  They will then return to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium on February 15 as they host the Belmont Abbey Crusaders.  They will remain at home on February 19 to face the Chowan Hawks.