Joseph Uchebo at the free throw line. Photo by Chris Crews.
Despite an 18 point first half lead, Charlotte fell to Western Kentucky 59-54 in Bowling Green Saturday night. The 49ers had three players in double figures.
Joseph Uchebo recorded his 13 double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Jon Davis finished with 12 points and Braxton Ogbueze added 10 points.
The Hilltoppers opened the game with a three-pointer. Then an and-one layup by Andrien White sparked a 13-0 run for Charlotte to take an early 10 point lead. The 49ers continued their first half scoring out pour after a three from Benas Griciunas to put Charlotte up 26-9 at the 7:26 mark. Shortly after, Anthony Vanhook banked in a layup, giving Charlotte an 18 point lead, their largest of the game. WKU went on to cut the lead down to 13 before heading into halftime.
Charlotte shot 62 percent from the floor in the first half, including 72 percent from three. Also, the 49ers held WKU to 28 percent shooting during the half.
Western Kentucky scored the first five points of the second half, cutting the Charlotte lead to seven. After a Davis dunk, the Hilltoppers went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 36. Both teams exchanged buckets to tie the game at 40. But Davis scored five straight points to give Charlotte a seven-point lead with 6:37 left to go. WKU went on another run, this time reeling off 10 straight points to take a 53-49 lead with 39 seconds to go. Free throws by WKU closed the game as Charlotte wound up in the loss column for the second consecutive game.
Turnovers haunted Charlotte in the second half, committing 15 turnovers in the half. WKU capitalized on the 49ers mistakes, scoring 24 points off turnovers. After shooting well in the first half and tallying up 34 points, the 49ers only scored 20 points in the second half, creating a tale of two halves.
Charlotte will return to Halton Arena Thursday, Feb. 25 to take on UTSA. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.