Charlotte, NC – Behind four double-figures scorers and double-doubles by Amanda Dowe and Jennifer Hailey, the Charlotte 49ers (6-5) defeated North Carolina A&T (6-5), 87-63, ending their five-game losing streak.
“I was proud of our team’s effort and performance tonight,” Charlotte coach Cara Consuegra said. “We really challenged the team and it was great seeing the team step up to the challenge. I was very impressed with the play of Amanda Dowe tonight. Jennifer Hailey really stepped up as well. It was great having two players with double-doubles. Hillary Sigmon really gave us great energy at the start of the game. It was a total team victory tonight.”
Dowe scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for her first career double-double. Hailey scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season and her 11th career double-double. Sigmon recorded her fourth double-figure scoring game of the season with 12 points. Ny Hammonds came off the bench to score 10 points for her third double-figure scoring game of the season. Jai Forney scored eight points and Epiphany Woodson added seven points off the bench.
Charlotte behind the scoring of Dowe and Hailey finished the game with a 54-30 advantage in points in the paint. The 49ers forced 22 North Carolina A&T turnovers which led to 28 points. Charlotte also enjoyed a 22-8 advantage in fast break points.
The game started slow offensively with the 49ers taking a 4-2 lead at the first media timeout at the 15:47 mark. Then, Charlotte went on a 22-8 run over the next nine minutes taking a 26-10 lead when Forney scored inside at the 6:19 mark. Katie Meador, Gabby Tyler, Sigmon, Hammonds, Hailey, Forney, Dowe and Woodson scored during the 49ers’ run.
North Carolina A&T cut the 49ers lead to 34-22 with 2:40 left in the first half. Then, Charlotte behind the scoring of Ayanna Holmes, Woodson and Dowe closed out the first half on a 5-0 run taking a 39-22 halftime lead.
North Carolina A&T cut Charlotte’s lead to 13 points, 40-27, at the 18:39 mark of the second half. However, that would be as close as they would get to the 49ers. Charlotte went on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes taking a 48-27 lead when Forney knocked down a layup at the 16:41 mark.
Charlotte maintained a lead of at least 20 points for the remainder of the game. Dowe connected on a free throw at the 3:04 mark which gave the 49ers their largest lead, 78-51.
Charlotte takes a week off for the Christmas Holiday, the 49ers return to action when they face SEC foe Auburn in the Florida International Sun and Fun Classic in Miami, Florida, December 29.
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