Courtesy of Charlotte49ers.com.
Anchorage, AK – Behind four double-figure scorers and a near triple-double by Pierria Henry, the Charlotte 49ers (4-0) defeated Texas State (2-2), 73-64, in the first round of the Great Alaska Shootout. The 49ers improved to 4-0 for the first time since the 1995-96 season.
“A lot of guys chipped in tonight’s win,” Charlotte coach Alan Major said. “Ivan Benkovic gave us good minutes tonight. JT Thompson had good energy. Chris Braswell came in and did well. Pierria Henry was terrific as he
stuffed the stat sheet. We had good balance with four guys in double-figures.”
Braswell led the 49ers with 18 points off the bench for his 58th career double-figure scoring game. Pierria Henry recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. He also recorded seven assists.
Denzel Ingram recorded his second straight double-figure scoring game in his first career start with 11 points including two-for-three shooting from beyond the arc. DeMario Mayfield recorded his second straight double-figure scoring game and the 21st of his career with 10 points off the bench. Darion Clark scored seven points and grabbed six rebounds. JT Thompson and Terrence Williams tallied six points apiece.
Charlotte finished the game with a 38-22 advantage on points in the paint.
For the first 12 minutes of the game the lead exchanged hands several times with the largest lead being three points by either team. Then, with Texas State leading 18-17 with 8:12 on the clock, the 49ers went on a 7-0 run taking a 25-20 lead after Braswell converted a free throw with 4:25 left in the half. Texas State scored five straight points tying the score for the third time at 25 when Joel Wright converted two free throws with 3:20 left in the half.
Charlotte scored four of the half’s final seven points taking a 29-28 halftime lead.
Early in the second half, Texas State took a 34-33 lead at the 17:39 mark. Charlotte behind the scoring of Ingram and Mayfield went on a 7-0 run over the next minute taking a 41-34 lead when Ingram knocked down a three with 16:42 on the clock.
Charlotte maintained a lead between 4-9 points for the next eight minutes. Charlotte took a 60-50 lead when
Braswell knocked down two free throws with 8:34 on the clock.
Texas State’s Matt Staff and Vonn Jones knocked down consecutive threes cutting the 49ers lead to 60-56 with 7:57 left in the game.
Texas State scored eight of the next ten points taking a 64-62 lead when Staff knocked down two free throws with 5:19 left in regulation.
The 49ers scored the game’s final 11 points for the 73-64 win. Braswell scored inside at the 4:19 tying the game for the fourth time. Ingram converted a free throw with 3:46 on the clock giving the 49ers the lead for good. Braswell scored six and Henry scored four of Charlotte’s final 11 points.
Charlotte will now play Oral Roberts in the semifinals of the Great Alaska Shootout, Saturday, November 24 at 1:30 am.
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