Charlotte Nipped By Virginia Tech In The Hilton Garden Classic Title Game
Aysha Jones led the 49ers with 15 points. |
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Dec. 30, 2009
Blacksburg, VA - Aysha Jones, Shannon McCallum and Ashley Spriggs scored in double-figures but the Charlotte 49ers were nipped by the Virginia Tech Hokies, 56-54, on the road in the Championship game of the Virginia Tech Hilton Garden Classic.
"It was a one or two possession game for the majority of second half," Charlotte coach Karen Aston said. "We just could not get over the hump. We missed some shots we normally make. I can't fault our effort. We tried to make plays but the ball just did not go in for us tonight."
Jones scored 13 of her 15 points in the second half including a three three-point field goals. Spriggs scored eight of her 12 points in the first half. Then, Shannon McCallum rounded out the 49ers double-figure scorers with 12 points. Seven of McCallum's 12 points came in the second half.
Jones and Spriggs were both named to the Hilton Garden Classic All-Tournament team.
The two teams exchanged baskets for the first six minutes of the game, Charlotte's Jennifer Hailey connected on a free throw giving the 49ers a 7-6 at the 12:44 mark. Then, Virginia Tech went on a 14-4 run over the next seven minutes taking a 20-11 lead at the 6:24 mark. Spriggs scored six of Charlotte's first 11 points and she finished the half with eight points.
Charlotte would score 11 of the half's final 18 points cutting Virginia Tech's halftime lead to 27-22. McCallum scored five points for the 49ers during the half's final six minutes.
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Charlotte began the second half by scoring six of the first nine points cutting Virginia Tech's lead to 30-28 when Jones connected on a jump shot at the 18:17 mark.
Virginia Tech would put their lead to six points, 35-29, at the 14:30 mark. Then, McCallum scored five straight points for the 49ers cutting their deficit to one point just a minute later.
Virginia Tech answered McCallum's run with a basket but Charlotte quickly answered when Holmes knocked down a jump shot cutting Virginia Tech's lead back to one point, 37-36.
Then, the Hokies when on a 7-0 run over the next three minutes pushing their lead to eight points, 44-36 with 10:51 left in the game. Hailey stopped the Hokies' run with a free throw at the 10:20 mark.
Virginia Tech answered with a free throw from Shanel Harrison with 9:43 on the clock pushing their lead back to eight points.
Charlotte would score ten of the next 12 points cutting Virginia Tech's lead to 48-47 when Jones knocked down her second straight three with 4:04 left in the contest.
Charlotte had the ball down one point with three minutes left but they could not convert on their go-ahead shot attempt.
Tech pushed their lead back to three points. Then, McCallum knocked down two free throws with 1:21 left in the game cutting Virginia Tech's lead back to one point, 50-49.
But the 49ers would never get any closer as Virginia Tech scored four straight points pushing their lead to five points.
Jones knocked down a three at the buzzer cutting Virginia Tech's final margin of victory to two points, 56-54.
Charlotte returns to action when they host ACC foe Clemson, Monday, January 4 in their final non-conference game in a special Education Day start time of 12 pm.
