Spartanburg, SC – The Valkyries of Converse College shot an impressive 45% in the first half then hung on to defeat the Flying Fleet 69-63 in Conference Carolinas women’s basketball action.  The loss evens Erskine’s record at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference.  For Converse, it was their first win of the season and now stand at 1-5 overall and 1-0 in conference.

Senior guard Porsha Morgan (Columbus, GA, LaGrange Academy) scored a team-high 16 points with 6 assists and fellow senior Elizabeth Tatum (Glennville, GA, Pinewood Christian Academy) notched her first “double-double” of the year with 15 points and 11 rebounds.  Freshman Andrienne Bannerman (Watha, NC, Pender High School) also contributed 12 points while sophomore Jana Dixon (Conyers, GA, Heritage High School) pulled down a impressive career-high 18 rebounds.  Dixon has averaged 15 rebounds per game over the last three games.

The Valkyries were led by Kayla Garrett with 24 points.  Colleen Long came off the bench to contribute 13 points and Ashley Long had 10 points.  Samira Gillcrease grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds.

After trading baskets to open the game, Converse took a 13-6 lead on consecutive three-point baskets by Garrett.   Erskine made a run to tie the game at 23-23 on a 3-point basket by Sha'Niqua Whitley (Columbia, SC, Spartanburg Methodist College); only to see the Valkyries close out the half on a 10-3 run to take a 38-30 lead at halftime.

While the Valkyries never lost the lead in the second half, they also could not put the Fleet away.  Erskine made a run late in the game to close within two points at 63-61 on a 3-point basket by Bannerman and a layup by Morgan with 2:23 remaining.  Converse held on to win 69-63.

Erskine’s next game is Wednesday, December 7^th, against archrival Anderson University.  Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.

Box Score