Curtis Withers posted a double-double in the second half as Charlotte won its fifth straight A-10 game. |
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Bennett Heats Up As Niners Topple Fordham, 81-75
Feb. 18, 2006
Bronx, N.Y. - Charlotte 49ers senior Marcus Bennett erupted for a career-high 29 points, hitting 7-of-10 three-pointers, to carry Charlotte to its fifth straight Atlantic 10 Conference win, 81-75 at Fordham. The win keeps Charlotte (16-9; 9-3 A-10) alone in second-place, one-half game ahead of La Salle (17-7; 9-4), who defeated Dayton.
The 49ers rallied in the second-half behind Bennett's hot hand and a re-energized Curtis Withers. Bennett scored 17 second-half points, hitting 3-of-4 long rangers while Withers notched a second-half double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds as the 49ers raced from a six-point, 34-28 halftime deficit. It was the fourth time this year that the 49ers came back from a halftime deficit to win an A-10 game. It was the 49ers eighth win in games in which it was tied or trailed at the half.
Fordham (12-13; 7-5) jumped to an early 10-point lead, 18-8, by hitting its first five three-point attempts. The Rams' first 18 points all came from beyond the arc, but Charlotte responded by hitting 6-of-9 threes in the first half, as well, to stay within striking distance. Fordham's Bryant Dunston scored 16 first half points inside and the Rams owned a 14-9 rebounding advantage at intermission over the A-10's top rebounding team.
Charlotte turned the tables in the second half, beating the Rams on the boards 20-14. Withers' 10 second half rebounds nearly matched the Rams intake after the break. The A-10 Player of the Year candidate finished with his league-best 14th double-double of the year (15 points; 12 rebounds) and his 42 second career double-double, passing all-time great Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell (41) for second-place all-time for the 49ers. Withers has seven double-doubles in league play.
Trailing 48-42 with 12:39 to play, De'Angelo Alexander nailed a three and Marcus Bennett canned back-to-back treys to give Charlotte its first lead, 51-48. Fordham retook the lead and led 61-58 with 5:37 left before Charlotte went on a 7-0 run, capped by a Bennett layup and two Bennett free throws.
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Leading by four, with under four minutes to play, the 49ers turned to Withers to secure the victory. He hit four straight free throws and banked in a short jumper from the side to put Charlotte ahead by seven, 71-64. In the final 30 seconds, Charlotte iced the win with a pair of Bennett free throws, a Mitchell Baldwin breakaway layup and two Baldwin free throws. In all, Charlotte scored on each of its last nine possessions to protect its lead and pick up the victory.
The 49ers play at UMass, Wednesday.
NOTES:
Leemire Goldwire hit two three-pointers, giving him 101 in his two-year career. His seven points give him 500 career points.
Bennett's 29-point effort makes him the fourth 49er this year to post a 20-point game. Withers, Alexander and Goldwire have all posted 20-point games, this year.
Senior Mitchell Baldwin, who leads the A-10 in Assist-to-Turnover ratio passed out eight assists with just one turnover.
Charlotte shot 54% for the game and a season-high 65% (13-of-20) from three-point land.
Charlotte won the battle of the boards, 29-28, giving the 49ers a 14-3 record when they outrebound their opponent.
The 49ers shot over 50% from the field for the 4th time this year (4-0), but the first time since their A-10 opener vs. Rhode Island, Jan. 4.
