Feb. 19, 2002

Box Score

By ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Sports Writer

MILWAUKEE - Cordell Henry scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half and No. 9 Marquette stretched its winning streak to 12 games with a 66-52 victory over Charlotte on Tuesday night.

Dwyane Wade, Henry's backcourtmate, added 14 points as the Golden Eagles (23-3, 12-1 Conference USA) avenged their last loss, a 76-68 defeat at Charlotte on Jan. 5.

The 49ers (16-9, 10-4), who were desperately seeking a late-February upset on the road to bolster their NCAA tournament chances, got 18 points from Cam Stephens and 15 from Jobey Thomas, all on 3-pointers.

Thomas and Curtis Nash had 3-pointers in a 9-0 run as the 49ers trimmed a 19-point deficit to 60-50 with five minutes left.

But Henry scored the game's only three baskets over the next three minutes to stave off the comeback as the Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak to Charlotte.

Oluoma Nnamaka added nine points for the Eagles, who rose to No. 9 in the poll this week for the first time in 23 years but struggled mightily in the first half.

Marquette trailed 30-27 at halftime when the 49ers closed with a 10-2 run after Thomas found his range and made three of his four 3-pointers over the final 6:17 of the first half.

Behind three highlight variety baskets by Wade, the Golden Eagles opened the second half with a 16-2 run to take a 43-32 lead.

Then, Henry took over.

His breakaway basket made it 50-36, his 3-pointer made it 53-38 and his two free throws made it 60-41 with 6:48 remaining.

Henry, averaging 14.6 points, has scored in double figures in nine of his last 10 games, topping 20 points six times in that stretch.

Charlotte's Butter Johnson fouled out with 6:53 left when he committed a dead-ball contact foul on a free throw.