The Southern Wesleyan University Warriors were defeated by the Converse Valkyries on Wednesday. 

The Warriors were led in scoring by Christopher Osobaye with 16 points, in rebounding by Reco Hallmon with 5, and in assists by Raevon Allen and Che Smith with 2 each. As a team, the SWU shot 29-66 (43.9%) from the field, 3-16 (18.8%) from three, and 14-24 (58.3%) from the free-throw line.


Game Vitals:

Final: Southern Wesleyan University 75, Converse University 98 

Records: Southern Wesleyan University (8-14, 4-10), Converse University (8-11, 7-6)


How It Happened:

The Warriors began with a smaller lineup on Wednesday, going with Che Smith, RJ Bell, Marcus Long, Reco Hallmon, and Christopher Osobaye from the jump. After Converse scored on their opening possession, SWU responded with a quick 6-0 run thanks to a pair of free throws from Hallmon and back-to-back scores from Bell. Hallmon was a nice scoring presence early, adding a three and a score in the paint to his total in the first 6:00. However, the Warriors then went just under 5:00 without a score as Converse built a 13-point lead. Southern Wesleyan's leading scorer, Eric Hackett, ended the drought and he and Aaron Tims combined for a few buckets over the next few minutes. Osobaye had the last six SWU points of the half and they trailed by 19 at the break. 

Hallmon and Osobaye continued to have success in the early stages of the second half, scoring in the paint and getting to the free-throw line. The Warriors went on a 7-0 run keeping Converse scoreless for 2 1/2 minutes before the Valkyries responded with a flurry to push their lead back over 20. Raheem Brizendine added production off the bench in the second half, putting up 11 points in 10 minutes on 4-4 shooting. Unfortunately, Southern Wesleyan couldn't overcome the massive 17 made three to three made three perimeter-shooting deficit, thus ending their solid stretch of three wins in four games. 


What's Next:

The Warriors are on the road for their next two games, traveling to King University on Saturday, February 8th, and Young Harris College on Tuesday, February 11th.