Nov. 15, 2009

Durham, N.C. -

Game Notes in PDF Format

Bobby Lutz opened his 12th season with his 200th victory as Charlotte 49ers head coach. Lutz, the 49ers all-time winningest coach, now takes his 49ers on the road to the DICK'S Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off to face Elon and either Coastal Carolina or #9/#8 Duke with the goal of reaching the tournament finals at Madison Square Garden. With the 86-70 victory over UNC Asheville, Lutz improved his overall record to 200-146 record. By starting his 12th season he has passed icon Jeff Mullins (182-142; 11 years) for the longest tenure as 49ers head coach in school history.

Charlotte defeated UNC Asheville, 86-70, in the season opener on the strength of red-shirt freshman Shamarr Bowden's 21 points (6-of-11 3FG) and double-doubles from junior center Phil Jones (16 pts; 12 rebs) and freshman Chris Braswell (10 pts; 11 rebs). Elon defeated Lipscomb, 91-86, in their season opener Saturday.

Charlotte (1-0) vs. Elon (1-0)
Charlotte is 0-1 all-time vs. Elon, with the lone meeting coming in the 1970 NAIA District Playoffs. Elon won that matchup, 77-74, at Guilford in Greensboro, N.C. Charlotte is looking to start 2-0 for the third time this decade (2007-08; 2000-01). In regular-season tournaments, the 49ers have dropped their first round game in each of the last three years (2008-09 76 Classic; 2007-08 Paradise Jam; 2006-07 Rainbow Classic). Charlotte has claimed championships in two regular-season events under head coach Bobby Lutz (2004-05 Cable Car Classic; 2000-01 CoSIDA Classic) and reached the finals of four such events.

Series vs. Elon:
Charlotte trails, 0-1 (N: 0-1)

Round Two: Charlotte will face either Coastal Carolina or Duke in round two. Charlotte owns an unbeaten 7-0 mark all-time vs. Coastal Carolina and is 0-2 all-time vs. Duke.

The Coach:
Bobby Lutz, Charlotte (all-time winningest coach)
Career: 381-237 (21st year)
at Charlotte: 200-146 (12th year)

Injury Update:
An'Juan Wilderness (strained calf) out

DEPTH: Five different players scored in double figures in the opener against UNC Asheville, including reserves Shamarr Bowden (21 points) and Charles Dewhurst (10 points). Center Phil Jones (16 points), point guard DiJuan Harris (14 points) and freshman Chris Braswell (10 points) also scored in double figures.

Season STARTS:
Charlotte is looking to start a season 2-0 for the third time this decade. In each of the previous two instances, Charlotte advanced to post-season play. The 49ers reached the NIT in 2008 after starting 2-0 and went to the NCAA Tournament in 2001 after topping Fordham and NC State in the CoSIDA Classic to open the season.

FANTASTIC FROSH:
Red-shirt freshman Shamarr Bowden, A-10 co-Rookie of the Week, scored 21 points in just 11 minutes in his 49ers debut, hitting 6-of-11 three-pointers. In particular, Bowden hit four consecutive threes within a timespan of 1:07 in the second half after UNC Asheville had cut Charlotte's lead to one. His scoring spree pushed the lead back to a more comfortable double digits. The last 49ers freshman to score 20 or more points in his 49ers debut: Rodney White, 22 points vs. Fordham in 2000-01. White went on to add another 20 point efort in game two (21 vs. NC State) on his way to ESPN.com National Freshman of the Year honors. Freshman forward Chris Braswell notched a double-double in his collegiate debut, scoring 10 points with 11 rebounds. He hit 6-of-8 free throws and added three assists.