Converse Defeats Lees-McRae in OT Thriller
Spartanburg, S.C.— Despite trailing by 15 points at halftime, Converse College (4-20) was able to comeback and beat Lees-McRae 91-80 in overtime. Kathlyn McClain led the way with a game 26 points including going 7 of 10 from three point range.
The Bobcats led the entire first half including a 17 point lead with less than three minutes to play in the period. Lees-McRae shot 50% from the floor in the first half. Dianca Jones led the Bobcats with 10 first half points. Cameron Crapps jumper at the first half buzzer gave the visitors a 39-24 half time lead.
This game was a tale of two halves however. The All-Stars scored 54 second half points while shooting a remarkable 75% from the floor. Converse went 6 for 7 from behind the arc in the second half. The All-Stars chipped away at the Bobcats lead, but Lees-McRae was able to hold on. A lay up by Carla Kantara with 5:08 to play tied the game at 65. The Bobcats would regain the lead courtesy of two Taukia Hughes free throws. It would be Kantara who gave the All-Stars their first lead with 3:26 to play when she drained two free throws. However, a three pointer by Lees-McRae’s Victoria Valentine gave the edge back to the visitors. After McClain scored a lay up, Lauren Mueller would tie the game at 73 from the charity stripe. After a missed shot by the Bobcats, Kantara grabbed the rebound scored at the other end to give the All-Stars their second lead of the night. Trailing 78-75 with 19 seconds to play, the Bobcats’ Valentine drained a three pointer that sent the game into overtime.
In the overtime period, the All-Stars took over. Converse held the Bobcats to only two points in the overtime, both from the free throw line. The All-Stars scored 13 points in the extra stanza.
Valentine scored 12 points and Stephanie Mullinax added 11 for the Bobcats.
Mueller had 17 points and a game high 9 rebounds. Ashley Arff added 15 points, while Kantara chipped in with 14 points.
The All-Stars will enjoy a 10 day break before travel to the Tar Heel state to face off with Brevard College on February 3rd.
Converse is a small college, big on opportunities. We:
• Shape young women of today into leaders