Balanced Attack Leads Charlotte to Win over S.C. State, 71-58
Dec. 9, 2000
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Lauren Price dominated in the paint, while Tonya Phifer dominated the perimeter as the Charlotte 49ers women's basketball team defeated S.C. State, 76-61, Saturday night at Halton Arena. It was the 49ers' second straight victory.
Price, a freshman, finished the night 7-of-11 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free throw line in 28 minutes of action for Charlotte (3-5). She also pulled down 12 rebounds to record her first career double-double. Phifer finished with a game-high 21 points. Alicia Abernathy was once again perfect from the free throw to run her school record for consecutive free throws made to 32. Abernathy was also a force on the boards, pulling down 12 caroms. Nicole Rhem led S.C. State (2-3) with 17 points. Tasha Stinson reached double figures as well for the Bulldogs with 15 points.
"I thought Lauren's first-half performance kept us going," head coach Ed Baldwin said. "It was really good see her get her first double-double."
After playing even with the Bulldogs for most of the first half, a pair of Tiffanie Hoey free throws gave the 49ers a 22-20 lead, which they would not relenquish for the rest of the game. They extended the lead to as many as 11 in the first period and led 42-33 at halftime. In the second half, S.C. State pulled to within eight, 64-56, with 7:53 to play on a Stinson basket and free throw after a foul, but Phifer answered for Charlotte with a three-pointer to restore her team's lead to double figures for good.
"S.C. State kept us off balance with their zone defense," Baldwin said. "Once we attacked it, we got good shots. We missed too many easy shots, which we will continue to work on and improve."
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Charlotte will take next week off for exams before returning to action Dec. 18, when they play at local rival Davidson at 7:00.
