NEWBERRY – Playing in front of a hearty home crowd in Eleazer Arena on Wednesday night, the Newberry men's basketball team dropped the home opener 78-58 to visiting Converse.

Senior Booker Cusaac led the Wolves (0-2) in scoring and rebounding with 10 points and eight boards while going 6 of 7 from the free-throw line.

Jalen Johnson scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds – all offensive – and Malik Joseph also added eight points.

Converse (3-0) jumped out to an early 11-point lead, 13-2, six minutes into the first half. Newberry was able to trim the deficit to 13-6 after baskets from Joseph and Cusaac over the next minute of play.

The Valkyries extended their lead to 25 by halftime, 46-21, making 61% of their shots and 46% of their 3-pointers.

In the second half, the Wolves were able to narrow the gap to 20 points thanks to a 9-0 run capped off by a Devario Sheppard fastbreak layup after a stolen pass to make it 52-32 with 13:47 remaining in the game.

The teams played even the rest of the way, each adding 26 points.

Newberry crashed the glass to the tune of 43 rebounds to Converse's 37. An impressive 17 of those came on the offensive end, leading to 21 second-chance points for the Wolves; Converse had only seven second-chance points.

The Wolves return to action next Tuesday (Nov. 21) as they hit the road for another non-conference matchup with Elizabeth City State in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.