Junior Phil Jones blocked a Halton Arena record six shots vs. Old Dominion, all in the second half. |
|
|
Niners Fall By One To Old Dominion, 69-68
Nov. 16, 2008
Halton Arena - The Charlotte 49ers had rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half, had pushed ahead by as much as seven with just over four minutes to play, but fell victim to Old Dominion's perimeter shooting down the stretch as they dropped a 69-68 home decision to the Monarchs, Sunday night.
The 49ers (1-1) were ever so close to clinching the game when junior Phil Jones pulled down an errant Monarch three-point attempt with 27 seconds left. His quick outlet to junior DiJuan Harris sent the 49ers point guard to the line, where he calmly hit a pair of freebies to give Charlotte a four-point lead with 23 seconds left.
Old Dominion (1-0) fired back with a three-pointer from Ben Finney to cut the lead to one. Harris went back to the line with 14 seconds left, but hit just one-of-two to give the 49ers a two-point lead, 68-66. Old Dominion escaped the 49ers high-pressure defense with good ball movement that freed Jonathan Adams for an open three from the top of the key. It was his first three-point attempt of the game and it gave the Monarchs a one-point lead with 5.5 seconds left. Harris' driving layup to the right side of the basket came up short as the 49ers split their opening weekend games.
"This is a very tough loss to take," said head coach Bobby Lutz. "We played poorly in the first half but at the half we came back and in the second half we had great energy. They made every shot down the stretch. You have to give them credit for their execution."
Charlotte trailed 36-28 at the half after shooting just .346 from the field and giving up a 21-11 rebounding edge to the Monarchs. The 49ers responded however in the second half, shooting 50% from the field.
|
|
 |
Meanwhile, Jones did his best on the defensive end to slow the Monarch's attack. Jones blocked six shots, all in the second half, to match a Halton Arena record, as ODU shot just 37% from the field after the break.
With the offensive tables turned, the 49ers came back. Senior Charlie Coley scored 10 of his team-high 14 points in the second half while Harris scored all 12 of his points after the break.
The duo were joined in double figures by senior Lamont Mack (13 points) and junior Ian Andersen (10 points).
But Old Dominion, playing in its first game of the year, hit 50% of its long-range shots, including the decisive pair in the final 16 seconds.
Charlotte shot .417 for the game, thanks to 50% shooting in the second half. ODU still enjoyed a 39-23 rebounding edge. Charlotte's harrassing defense forced 18 turnovers. The 49ers were again strong from the foul line, hitting 89% (24-of-27).
Darius James, Gerald Lee and Finney all scored 14 points for ODU, which shot 43% for the game.
Charlotte plays at Appalachian State, Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised by MASN. The 49ers return home Sat., Nov. 22 vs. Clemson at 7:00 p.m.
