Jan. 14, 2001

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte 49ers women's basketball team rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half to beat Saint Louis, 49-45, Sunday afternoon at Halton Arena. The victory was the Niners' first conference win of the season.

Tonya Phifer scored 11 points to lead Charlotte (5-9, 1-3 C-USA) to the victory. Adrienne Jordan also reached double figures with 10 points. Tonika Smith had nine points and pulled down a game-high 13 caroms. Christan Shelton led Saint Louis (11-4, 2-2 C-USA) with 17 points while Star Jackson chipped in 10.

The 49ers earned the win by holding the Billikens, who led 32-20 at halftime, to just 13 second-half points. After Saint Louis matched their largest lead of the game, 38-22, in the early minutes of the second half, Charlotte went on a 21-0 run and took a 43-38 lead with 4:32 left to play. Smith capped the Niners' run, which held the Bills scoreless for 12 minutes, 47 seconds, on a free throw. The Billikens pulled to within one, 43-42, with 4:08 to play, but Jennifer Williams, Peaches Harris and Phifer each knocked down a pair of free throws to seal the win.

Charlotte will be on the road for their next two games, playing at Louisville next Friday, Jan. 19 and at Cincinnati Sunday, Jan. 21. The 49ers' next home game is Friday, Jan. 26, when they host Marquette at 7:00 in Halton Arena.