CHARLOTTE - The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team battled down to the final minutes but came up just short in a 54–51 road loss to Converse on Thursday afternoon at Tom & Tracy Hannah Gym in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

JCSU opened the game strong, taking an 11–8 lead after the first quarter and carrying momentum into halftime with a 28–21 advantage. The Golden Bulls held Converse to just 16.7 percent shooting in the opening quarter.

Outscoring JCSU 16–13 Converse responded in the third quarter to cut the deficit to four. The fourth quarter saw multiple lead changes as both teams traded baskets, but Converse's late surge proved decisive. The Valkyries edged JCSU 17–10 in the final period.

La'Niya Simes led JCSU with 14 points and 10 rebounds, recording a double-double while also adding three steals. Salote Franklin followed with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Off the bench, Nia Hunter contributed 10 points, while Kyshonna Brown added nine points and seven rebounds.

Despite shooting struggles from the field 25.6 percent overall and beyond the arc 1-for-22, JCSU, scored 23 second-chance points and 21 points off turnovers. The Golden Bulls also won the rebounding battle, 55–51, and received 22 points from their bench.

Converse (1-10) was led by Mazie Helpman's 18 points and 12 rebounds, with Tatiana Brown adding 14 points and Andrea Gutierrez Ciordia chipping in 11. The Valkyries shot 36.1 percent from the field and capitalized at the free-throw line late to seal the win

With the loss, Johnson C. Smith moves to 3–5 overall heading into the winter break.