Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan took down the Converse Valkyries on Wednesday evening in a 61-57 final score.
The Warriors shot 32.8% from the field including going 33.3% from beyond the arc. Asia Pearley led the team with 13 points. Right behind Pearley, Rahkhia Mack totaled 11 points. Alexis Glover recorded four of the 12 assists.
Southern Wesleyan pulled down 38 rebounds with DeYana Hayes leading the team with seven. Alexis Glover picked up five rebounds and both Taylin Smith and Asia Pearley had four. The Warriors stole the ball away 13 times with Rahkhia Mack leading the team with five.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 61, Converse 57
Records: Southern Wesleyan (7-15 / CC 3-11) Converse (5-15 / CC 3-10)
How It Happened
A foul by Tatiana Brown sent Rahkhia Mack to the charity stripe early in the first quarter of the game. Mack hit both her free throws to give the Warriors the lead. However, a layup by Jordan Brown allowed the Valkyries to tie the game up. Converse took the lead as Tatiana Brown made back-to-back layups. Southern Wesleyan was not discouraged as Kaliah Kendrick collected a rebound and sent it down the court to Lexie Ransom. Ransom fired off a three pointer to give the Warriors an 8-6 point lead. With just under a second on the clock, Taylin Smith jumped up off one foot to hit a three at the buzzer to keep the Warriors on top by two.
Southern Wesleyan kicked off the second quarter with a layup by Alexis Glover, but Converse countered as Tatiana Brown put up a jump shot to keep the Valkyries within two points of the Warriors. The Warriors pushed on as Asia Pearley hit a three pointer and then Makayla Raines laid the ball up into the basket. Peyton Looky collected a pass from Glover and stepped beyond the arc to put up her first three of the evening. Converse answered with a three pointer by Ciordia Gutierrez. A three pointer by Alexis Becker put the Valkyries back within three points of the Warriors. Southern Wesleyan led 30-29 going into the locker room.
Alexis Glover collected a rebound and laid the ball up into the basket to jump start the third quarter for Southern Wesleyan. Jordan Brown laid the ball up for the Valkyries, but seconds later Rahkhia Mack hit a jump shot. With just over six minutes on the clock, Lexie Ransom fired off her second three pointer of the game. Converse answered with a three pointer by Elisa Sole Sanchez to keep the Valkyries within four. Southern Wesleyan would not back down as Asia Pearley and Dynasty Shegog each made baskets. However, the Valkyries challenged back as a layup by Zariyah Washington allowed them to tie the game up at forty-one points apiece.
The Warriors attacked the basket in the fourth quarter with a layup by Alexis Glover. However, Elisa Sole Sanchez laid the ball up into the basket for the Valkyries seconds later. Converse chipped away at the Warriors lead as fouls sent Alexis Becker and Darling Harris to the free throw line. With just over four minutes left in the game, Glover got the ball out beyond the arc to Taylin Smith. Smith put up a three pointer to keep the Warriors lead at two points. Asia Pearley got the ball under the net and laid it up to extend the Warriors lead to four. Southern Wesleyan went on to win the game in a 61-57 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will travel to Bristol, TN on February 8 to take on the King Tornado. They will then travel to Young Harris, GA to take on the Young Harris Mountain Lions on February 11 at 5pm. The Warriors will return to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium on February 15 to host the UNC Pembroke Braves at 2pm. Senior day festivities will take place prior to the start of the game.
