Nov. 12, 2009

Charlotte, NC -

Charlotte's game notes for the East Carolina game

The Atlantic 10 Champion Charlotte 49ers women's basketball team tips-off the 2009-10 season at former Conference USA rival in-state foe East Carolina, Friday, November 13 at 8:00 pm. The 49ers enter the game having won five of their last six season openers.

Charlotte enters the East Carolina having gone 7-3 this decade in their first game. The 49ers have won five of their last six season openers including 62-60 win over Southern Cal in last season's opening game. In that game, Shannon McCallum recorded her first career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Charlotte is 20-14 all-time in season-opening games.

Charlotte, who was picked second in the preseason A-10 coaches poll, returns three starters and nine letterwinners off a 2009 team which won 23 games and captured the Atlantic 10 Tournament title. Aysha Jones, who was picked first-team preseason All-Atlantic 10, led the 49ers in scoring last season at 13.8 points per game. McCallum, who was a second-team preseason All-Atlantic 10 selection, finished second on the team in scoring last season at 12.3 points per game. Ashley Spriggs and Erin Floyd each started at least 31 games last season for the 49ers. Jabrenta Hubbard, Kelsey McAdoo, Rachelle Coward, Nicole Hargraves and Katie Meador round out the 49ers returning letterwinners.

Charlotte also welcomes junior guard Kendria Holmes, who is eligible this season after sitting out last season due to transferring from Providence College. Freshmen Amanda Dowe, Jaquaria Forney, Jennifer Hailey and Jessica Johnson round out the newcomers to the 49ers roster.

Charlotte was a charter member of Conference USA. East Carolina, who is currently a member of Conference USA, joined the league in 2001. So Charlotte and East Carolina faced each of other for four years as members of Conference USA. The 49ers lead the all-time series, 22-7. Charlotte has won seven of the last eight meetings between the two teams including a 68-66 win at East Carolina in their last meeting, February 26, 2005. Former 49ers standout Sakellie Daniels led the 49ers with 16 points and eight rebounds in their last game at East Carolina. Assistant coach Krystion Obie Nelson and director of operations Sabrina Gregory both played for the 49ers in their last game at East Carolina.