Jon Davis pulls up for three. Photo by Benjamin Robson.
Two overtimes proved to be no problem as Charlotte (11-17, 7-8) defeated UTSA (5-24, 3-13) in thrilling fashion, 114-108. For the first time this season, six 49er players scored in double figures.
Joseph Uchebo set the single-season Conference USA rebound record, finishing with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Curran Scott led the 49ers in scoring with 22 points on 13-of-15 shooting from the free throw line. Jon Davis played the entire 50 minutes en route to 21 points and seven assists. Braxton Ogbueze only had one minute to rest, but added 17 points. Anthony Vanhook and Andrien White notched 15 points apiece.
“We knew we needed to get a win here after dropping two last week. It was just a really close game throughout,” Scott said after the game. “We had to dig deep and keep fighting, and that’s what we did.”
Great win @49ersBasketball tonight – a double overtime thriller! Proud of our guys for hanging tough! #49ersMBB #growingtogether
— Mark Price (@Mark25Price) February 26, 2016
Charlotte found themselves down early, 15-4, to begin the game after the Roadrunners made five consecutive threes. Ogbueze would knock down his first three of the game to shorten the UTSA lead. Shortly after, Charlotte would go on a 10-0 run that was led by Davis and White to tie the game at 17. The two freshman each scored five points during the run. From there, both teams would exchange leads and the first half had a total of seven tie scores. UTSA would close the half on a free throw to go up 46-45 at halftime.
With their backs against the wall, Charlotte would score the first 11 points of the second half to go up 56-49. After a Roadrunner three, the 49ers would score nine of the next 10 point to gain an 11-point lead, their largest of the game, with ten minutes left. UTSA, who came into the game as the second-worst three-point shooting team in the conference, would knock down three three-pointers to regain the lead at 80-79. But Ogbueze was there to knock down the big shot, as he tied the game at 88 on a contested three. After UTSA tied the game at 91 on a pair of free throws, the final minute would see no more scoring to head into overtime.
Three free throws from UTSA would put Charlotte in an early deficit. However, the 49ers would rally behind Uchebo. The Nigerian-born center scored Charlotte’s first six points of the extra period. The 49ers had the opportunity to close the game, but Vanhook would split a pair of free throws to go into double overtime.
If the 49ers players were tired, they didn’t show it. Scott and Davis opened the second half to give Charlotte a four-point advantage. The two freshman would score all 12 points in the second act of overtime to close the game.
“We came out with a lot of juice in the second overtime, which is surprisingly so with the minutes our guys played,” coach Mark Price said. “It’s unbelievable that our guys were able to suck it up and get the win.”
The 49ers continued their free-throw success, finishing the game by making 85 percent from the charity stripe. This is the fifth time this season that Charlotte scored 100 points in a game. UTSA had five players in double figures as well with Ryan Bowie scoring a game-high 23 points and Lucas O’Brien added 21 points.
The 49ers will close out Halton Arena Saturday, Feb. 27, against UTEP. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Photos by Maria Saenz.