Dec. 2, 2000

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Tonya Phifer's three-point attempt as time expired did not fall and the Charlotte women's basketball team fell to Furman, 58-55, Saturday night at Halton Arena. The game was the 49ers' home-opener.

Furman (3-2) had three players score in double figures, led by Kim Lawrence with 12 points. Deshara Shealy and Orion Wake were also in double figures with 10 points each. Phifer led Charlotte (1-5) with 11 points. Alicia Abernathy finished the game one basket shy of a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds.

The 49ers led at halftime, 27-25, on the strength of Sarah Fisher's five points, including two on a basket with 18 seconds to go. In the second half, the Paladins took a 33-31 lead on a Shealy field goal, which they turned into a 10-point advantage with 11:28 to go. Charlotte rallied, however, pulling to within one, 56-55, on a Lauren Price layup with 2:18 remaining. Then, with only five seconds remaining and the 49ers forced to foul, Lawrence knocked down a pair of free throws to seal the win.

Charlotte returns to action Wednesday, Dec. 6, when they host Appalachian at 5:30 in Halton Arena. The game is the front end of a doubleheader with the men's team. The men take on Charleston Southern that night.