Charlotte rallies from 17 down to end skid
Charlotte (19-10, A-10: 7-8) overcame a 17-point second half deficit to defeat Duquesne (8-21, A-10: 1-14), 89-87, in overtime on the road.
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"We showed great fight tonight," Charlotte coach Alan Major said. "We had our backs against the wall and showed tremendous resolve. It was a gratifying team win."
Chris Braswell led four 49ers in double-figures with a season-high 28 points. Braswell scored 24 of his 28 points in the second half and overtime. Braswell recorded his 72nd double-figure scoring game. Terrence Williams recorded his second double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Pieria Henry recorded his second double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Denzel Ingram recorded his sixth double-figure scoring game of the season with 11 points. Ivan Benkovic knocked down three huge threes for nine points.
"It was phenomenal for us to step up and fight back from 17 down as a team," Braswell said.
The 49ers finished the game with a 48-24 advantage on points in the paint. Charlotte behind the scoring of Braswell finished the game with a 38-25 advantage on bench points.
Charlotte began the game on a 10-3 run capped off by a layup by Terrence Williams with 14:28 on the clock.
Then, Duquesne went on a 13-6 run tying the score at 16 when Sean Johnson scored inside with 9:33 on the clock.
The lead exchanged hands a couple of times with several ties over the next six minutes. Then, with the game tied at 27 with 3:57 left in the first half, Duquesne closed the half on a 12-5 run taking a 39-32 halftime lead.
Charlotte cut Duquesne's lead to 39-36 early in the second half after baskets by Willie Clayton and Henry. Then, Duquesne went on a 21-7 run over the next eight minutes taking a 60-43 lead when Derrick Colter knocked down a jumper with 10:42 on the clock.
Charlotte began their comeback with an 11-3 run over the next three minutes cutting Duquesne's lead to 63-54 when Ingram knocked down a jumper with 7:04 on the clock. Darion Clark, Williams and Henry scored during the run.
Duquesne pushed their lead back to 11 points on two occasions over the next two minutes. With Duquesne leading 67-56 with 5:59 on the clock, the 49ers went on a 16-4 run over the next three minutes taking a 72-71 lead when Benkovic knocked down a three in front of Charlotte's bench with 1:58 on the clock. Braswell scored 10 points during the run.
The lead exchanged hands several times over the final two minutes. Braswell sent the game into overtime when he scored inside with seven seconds on the clock tying the score at 79.
The 49ers jumped out to a four-point lead to start overtime when Ingram scored on a layup off the tip and Braswell knocked down two free throws.
Duquesne connected on four straight free throws tying the score for the eighth time at 83. Benkovic gave the 49ers a three-point lead with another long range bomb. Duquesne's Quevyn Winters answered Benkovic's three with a three tying the score for the ninth time at 86 with 52 seconds on the clock.
Braswell scored inside giving the lead for good with 18 seconds on the clock. Braswell closed out the 49ers win by connecting on his seventh free throw made of the game.
The 49ers conclude the regular-season in Halton Arena against Saint Joseph's, Saturday, March 9 at 7 pm. Prior to the game the 49ers will honor their seniors.