Dec. 29, 2009

Blacksburg, VA -

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Charlotte game notes for the Hilton Garden Classic

The Charlotte 49ers return to action after a nine-day Christmas break at the Hilton Garden Classic at Virginia Tech's Cassell Coliseum. The 49ers face 2009 WNIT participant Central Connecticut State in the first game of the Classic, Tuesday, December 29 at 5 pm. The 49ers will face either Virginia Tech or New Jersey Tech in their second game of the Hilton Garden Classic, Wednesday, December 30. Charlotte enters the Hilton Garden Classic having reached the Championship game of three of their last four regular-season tournaments.

Junior Shannon McCallum leads the 49ers in scoring at 11.9 points per game. McCallum leads the 49ers in rebounding at 6.7 boards per game. While, senior Erin Floyd is second on the team at 9.9 points per game. Junior Aysha Jones is third on the team in scoring at 9.0 points per game. Jones needs to score 99 points to become the 17th player in school history to score 1,000 career points. Senior Ashley Spriggs and junior Kendria Holmes are tied for fourth on the team in scoring at 8.5 points per game.

Charlotte has never played Central Connecticut State prior to their first round meeting in the Hilton Garden Classic. Central Connecticut State is a member of the Northeast Conference. The 49ers are 2-0 all-time against Northeast Conference foes with previous wins over Robert Morris and Saint Francis (Pa.). The 49ers have also never played New Jersey Tech, who is a member of the Great West Conference. Charlotte has never played a Great West Conference school. Charlotte and Virginia Tech have played each other 21 times. Virginia Tech leads the all-time series, 12-9. However, the 49ers defeated Virginia Tech in their last meeting, 76-55, at home in Halton Arena, December 16, 2007. In that game, Director of Operations Sabrina Gregory led the 49ers with 19 points. Former 49ers standout point guard Traci Ray tallied 15 points. Ashley Spriggs scored nine points, Erin Floyd scored eight points and Shannon McCallum scored seven points in the 49ers last game with Virginia Tech, The 49ers played at ACC foe #10 Duke earlier this season. Then, Charlotte's next home game is against ACC foe Clemson, January 4. Charlotte has faced 11 of the 12 ACC teams with Boston College being the only ACC school that the 49ers have never played. Charlotte is 22-48 all-time against the ACC.