Central, SC - The Southern Wesleyan University Warriors were defeated on Saturday Afternoon by the Converse University Valkyries. 

The Warriors were led in scoring and rebounding by Reco Hallmon with a 16-Point 13-Rebound Double-Double. Griffin Effenberger (13), Eric Hackett (12), and Che Smith (10) all chipped in with double-figure scoring as well. Smith also led the team in assists, with 3, and steals, with 2. Aaron Tims protected the rim with a team-high 3 blocks. As a unit, the Warriors shot 25-56 (44.6%) from the field, 8-19 (42.1%) from behind the arc, and 15-24 (62.5%) from the free throw line. 



Game Vitals:

Final: Southern Wesleyan University 73, Converse University 76

Records: Southern Wesleyan University (4-21, 3-12), Converse University (17-8, 9-6)



How It Happened:

Raevon Allen was inserted into the starting lineup for Saturday's match-up with the Valkyries, and he was joined by Jonathan Taylor, Eric Hackett, Reco Hallmon, and Aaron Tims. The Warriors got off to a good start on the offensive end, getting a three from Taylor on the opening possession, followed by an Allen steal and dunk, and a Hackett three to go on an 8-2 run out of the gate. Hackett continued his hot shooting of late, scoring 7 points in the first five minutes of the game. Converse got their footing in the game by going inside to Center Earl Burgess III, a product of the prestigious Dorman High School. The two offenses remained hot and stayed within reach of each other but Southern Wesleyan went on a 6-0 run getting bac- to-back threes from Hallmon and Griffin Effenberger to take a lead into the locker room. Hallmon had 11 points at the interval and shot 3-4 from three, despite coming into the game with just four total made threes on the season. 

The Warriors continued their hot shooting early in the second half, adding fourteen straight out of the break and increasing their league to it's biggest margin of the night. After that point, Converse began to tighten up on the defensive end and slowly chip away at the SWU lead. The biggest turning point of the night came at the 9:44 mark when Aaron Tims picked up his fourth personal foul. It gave All-Conference Wing Uzziah Dawkins the freedom to be more aggressive attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line. The Valkyries took their first lead of the second half just under four minutes later on back-to-back jumpers from Joel Pullen. They never relinquished the lead after that point, sealing the game with late defensive stops and knockdown free throw shooting.



What's Next:

The Warriors head to Due West, South Carolina for the next affair, taking on the Erskine Flying Fleet on Wednesday, February 21st. After that, they return home for their final two games against Mount Olive on Saturday, February 24th, and Emmanuel, on Wednesday, February 28th.