web Charlotte

Nov. 13, 2009

Box Score

Halton Arena - The 45th season of Charlotte basketball opened with a 49er 86-70 victory over the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville behind five double-digit scorers for the Niners led by redshirt-freshman Shamarr Bowden's 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting from behind the arc. The victory also served as Bobby Lutz's 200th career victory at Charlotte, which is the most all-time by a Charlotte coach.

"It was a great start to the season even though every win is great this one was in particularly nice because they made a run late in the game, but Shamarr made four-straight threes and we scored on 10-straight possessions and 17 consecutive free throws to close out the game," head coach Bobby Lutz stated of his 200th career victory at Charlotte.

The Niners led 40-27 at halftime with their largest lead extending to as much as 16 late in the opening half. Asheville charged back to cut Charlotte's lead to only one point at the 13:01 mark, 49-48, in the second half before Bowden registered four consecutive threes over a span of just 1:07 to push the Niners lead to ten, 61-51.

Bowden's run of threes also sparked a 49er scoring run in which Charlotte outscored the Bulldogs 14-3 in a two minute stretch.

"I was happy to finally be out on the floor since it was my first time playing for Charlotte after missing all of last season and the exhibition game this season," added Bowden, who suffered a season-ending kneecap injury last fall and missed the exhibition game with a shoulder dislocation. "It was great to put on the Charlotte jersey and just go out and compete."

Bowden, it should be noted, did connect on his first shot as a 49er, nailing a three-pointer at 12:15 of the first half.

The Niners held onto their lead with by making 17 consecutive free throws from the seven minute mark to less than a minute left in the game.

Phil Jones led the game in rebounds as the junior tallied a career high 12 rebounds to go along with his career high 16 points for his first career double-double.

"This summer I devoted myself to trimming down my body and I think it showed because I was able to attack the offensive glass more," stated Jones.

Charlotte's senior point guard DiJuan Harris came away with another solid performance by scoring 14 points, including 7-of-7 free throws, and dishing out six assists with only three turnovers. The Charlotte native also had five rebounds and three steals in the season opener.

"I know what I have with DiJuan (Harris) and he is going to be critical for us early in the season especially with some of our injuries," Lutz stated of his senior point guard. "DiJuan's performance in the first half was the key to our success in the first half."

Another newcomer to the Charlotte roster, freshman Chris Braswell, played critical minutes for the Niners with Shamari Spears sitting out the game. Braswell came away with a double-double in his first collegiate game with 10 points and 11 boards as well as three assists.

Also scoring in double digits was Charles Dewhurst, who nearly picked up the 49ers third double-double with ten points and eight rebounds. Dewhurst was clutch for Charlotte down the stretch by making eight straight free throws in the final two minutes. Dewhurst's streak of consecutive free throws made now stands at 17 which dates back to the middle of last season before he suffered his season ending injury.

Chris Stephenson led the Bulldogs and the game in scoring with 22 points on 8-for-15 from the field and 3-of-6 from behind the arc, while J.P. Primm added 15 for UNCA.

The victory pushed Charlotte's record to 11-1 under Lutz in season openers, which includes a current six-game winning streak in openers.

The 49ers now move on to face Elon in the opening round of the NIT Season Tip-Off in Durham, N.C. on Monday at 9:30 p.m.