49ers Spread The Wealth, Defeat Albany

MIAMI, FL – Behind four double-figure scorers, the Charlotte 49ers (7-6) defeated Albany, 61-59, in the FIU Sun and Fun Classic.

“It was good to get a win,” Charlotte coach Cara Consuegra said. “We were fatigued after the quick turnaround from yesterday’s game. We spent a lot of energy coming back yesterday. Today’s win was an overall team victory. Everyone who got in the game was able to contribute either with scoring, rebounding or defensively. It was great to get a win and we will take it.”

Hillary Sigmon led the 49ers with a season-high 15 points with 10 of those points coming the first half. She connected on three three-point field goals in the game. Jennifer Hailey recorded her third straight double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. She earned FIU Sun and Fun Classic All-Tournament honors for her performance in the 49ers’ games against Auburn and Albany. Epiphany Woodson recorded her tenth double-figure scoring game of the season with 12 points off the bench. Jai Forney rounded out the 49ers’ double-figure scorers with 11 points.

 

The 49ers finished the game with a 41-34 advantage in rebounds. Hailey led the 49ers with 11 rebounds. Amanda Dowe, Gabby Tyler and Forney each grabbed six rebounds. Every 49ers that played in the game grabbed at least one rebound.

In the first half, the lead exchanged hands several times with four ties. Forney gave the 49ers a 26-25 halftime lead when she knocked down a three from the wing with seven seconds left in the half.

At the start of the second half, the lead exchanged hands several times with three ties. Then, Woodson knocked down a three from the top of the key which gave the 49ers the lead for good, 35-33, at the 16:01 mark. With the 49ers leading, 35-34, at the 14:38 mark, Charlotte went on a 13-4 run over the next five minutes taking a 48-38 lead on a Woodson layup at the 9:12 mark. Ny Hammonds, Tyler, Woodson and Forney scored during the 49ers’ run.

At the 6:48 mark, Woodson scored on a layup giving Charlotte their largest lead, 52-40. Then, Albany went on a 9-0 run over the next two minutes cutting Charlotte’s lead to 52-49 when Cassandra Callaway knocked down a three at the 4:37 mark.

Charlotte answered the Albany run with a 7-2 run over the next three minutes capped off by a Sigmon three from the baseline giving the 49ers a 59-51 lead with 1:13 left on the clock.

Albany outscored the 49ers’ 8-2 over the final 1:13 cutting Charlotte’s final margin of victory to 61-59.

Charlotte concludes the non-conference portion of their schedule when they host Southern Conference foe Furman in Halton Arena, Tuesday, January 3 at 7 pm.