Nov. 29, 2000

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. - Using a 15-0 run to open the second half, third-ranked Duke pulled out to a 23-point lead and went on to defeat the Charlotte 49ers women's basketball team, 78-59, Wednesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Georgia Schweitzer scored 12 points, including seven during her team's second-half run to lead Duke (8-0) to the win. Sheana Mosch was also in double figures for the Devils, scoring 11. Alicia Abernathy scored 17 for the second time in three games, to lead Charlotte (1-4). Tonika Smith also finished in double figures for the Niners with 12, sinking 10-of-14 free throws, and pulled down a team-best six rebounds.

The 49ers hung tough with the Blue Devils for most the first half, trailing by only eight, 31-23, at halftime. Duke opened up a 13-point lead on a Missy West three-pointer with 3:05 remaining in the first period, but Charlotte battled back to close the half with a 7-2 run. The Devils came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, sprinting to a 46-23 advantage and went on to take the win.

"I was pleased with the way we played in the first half and probably the last eight minutes of the game," head coach Ed Baldwin said. "A team as good as Duke is going to make a run sooner or later. What can you do to prepare for a team that talented?"

The two teams combined for 40 fouls. Duke committed 23, including seven with Charlotte in the double bonus with less than five minutes to play. The 49ers, who finished the night just 19-of-29 from from the free throw line, sank nine from the charity stripe in the final five minutes to cut the lead to under 20.

Charlotte returns to action Saturday, when they host Furman at 5:00 in Halton Arena. The game is the home-opener for the 49ers and is part of a double-header with the men's team. The men take on South Carolina that night.