LONG ISLAND, NY – Three 49ers in double-figures led by a double-double Jennifer Hailey but the Charlotte 49ers (5-2) lost to Florida (5-1), 82-73, in the Courtyard LaGuardia Turkey Classic.
“We played harder and with better effort today,” Charlotte coach Cara Consuegra said. “We were not able to stop their defensive penetration and get the stops that we needed down the stretch. I thought that Jai Forney was excellent today. She was aggressive on both ends of the court. We need to get that out of her every game.”
Epiphany Woodson and Jai Forney led the 49ers with 17 points apiece. Hailey recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Hailey was named to the Turkey Classic All-Tournament team after her performance. Amanda Dowe scored seven points and grabbed nine rebounds.
The 49ers scored 10 of the first 16 points taking a 10-6 lead when Gabby Tyler scored inside at the 16:35 mark.
Charlotte pushed their lead to 16-11 behind two free throws by Woodson. At the 13:13 mark.
Florida tied the score and the lead went back and forth the until a three-pointer by Florida’s Jordan Jones gave Florida a 34-30 lead at the 1:55 mark. Paige McCallum knocked down two free throws in the closing minutes of the half cutting Florida’s halftime lead to 34-32.
The 49ers began the second half on a 6-0 run taking a 38-34 lead just 1:18 into the second half. Tyler, Hailey and Woodson scored for the 49ers.
Charlotte pushed their lead to 47-41 when Forney stole the ball and scored on a fast break layup at the 15:25 mark. Woodson connected on a free throw giving the 49ers their largest lead, 50-43, with 13:46 on the clock.
Then, Florida went on a 19-7 run over the next six minutes taking a 62-57 lead when Jones scored at the 7:22 mark.
Charlotte cut the Florida lead to five points on several occasions but the Gators closed out the game with timely free throw shooting down the stretch.
Charlotte concludes their four-game road swing at nationally-ranked Florida State, Sunday, December 4 at 2 pm.
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