Nov. 28, 2000

Box Score

By JENNA FRYER
AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Rodney White scored 20 points and Charlotte hit a team-record 16 3-pointers Tuesday night in a 95-63 victory against Miami.

Demon Brown scored 16 points for Charlotte (3-1). Jobey Thomas had 15, Diego Guevara scored 12 and James Zimmerman had 11.

It was Charlotte's second rout in 10 days of a team from a high-profile conference. The 49ers, from Conference USA, blew out NC State 95-78 in Raleigh on Nov. 18.

The Niners had hoped the victory would push them into the Top 25 for the first time in two years, but a last-second 79-78 loss to St. Bonaventure on Saturday spoiled their expectations.

Against Miami, they set out early to redeem themselves by taking quick and confident shots at the basket - especially from long range.

The 49ers, who are averaging 11 3-pointers a game, hit seven in the decisive first half. They finished 16-of-32 from long range, making so many that the students who had been hanging yellow 3s after each one ran out at 15.

Guevara led the barrage by making 4-of-7, while Zimmerman was 3-for-4.

Miami (3-1) jumped out to a quick 17-8 lead, but the 49ers started hitting their shots to close the gap and then pull away.

Guevara and Brown both hit 3s at the beginning of a 12-2 run that gave Charlotte the lead for good at 20-19. The Niners then shifted into their transition offense and poured it on the Hurricanes.

Zimmerman and White hit long 3-pointers in another 12-2 run that gave Charlotte a 42-28 lead with 2:03 to play in the half.

Miami, which returned only one starter from the team that won a share of the Big East title last year, couldn't match Charlotte's offensive punch and never regrouped.

The Hurricanes got 16 points from John Salmons. James Jones added 12.

49ers Head Coach Bobby Lutz:

"I was pleased with the way we bounced back after the loss to St. Bonaventure. I thought we played 35 minutes of good basketball. James Zimmerman (11 pts, 6 rebs, 3-4 threes) was awfully good tonight, shutting down (Miami's Darius) Rice. When a team presents a trap, like Miami did tonight, I want to come and attack and play aggressive and I feel we did that tonight."

49ers Guard Demon Brown:

"I feel we're a great three-point shooting team. If a team is going to give us open looks, we're going to win games. We were prepared for Miami's trap by passing the ball until we found the open man. I think by running a box-and-one, we were able to shut down Rice."