STAFF REPORTS — Joseph Uchebo recorded his ninth double-double, and sixth straight, with a 19 point, 17 rebound effort on way to Charlotte knocking off Florida International on the road, 72-69.
“We have knocked the door down,” Charlotte 49ers coach Mark Price said in a statement from the school. “Our guys have been gaining confidence so that we can finish games like tonight’s game. We played well done the stretch. We are getting better which is what I am happy about.”
The 49ers had 16 offensive rebounds which led to 17 second chance points.
The back and forth game was taken control by Charlotte late in the 2nd half. With 6:39 left in the second half, Braxton Ogbueze knocked down his fifth three of the game to push the 49ers lead to 63-56. pushing the 49ers lead to 63-56 with 6:39 on the clock. Charlotte maintained a lead of 4-7 points for the next six and half minutes. With five seconds on the clock, Scott converted on a free throw giving the 49ers a 71-66. Then, FIU’s Draper connected on a three point field with one second on the clock and was fouled by the 49ers. Draper went to the line and purposely missed the free throw but Uchebo grabbed his 10th board of the game securing the 49ers win.
Charlotte continues their two-game road trip in South Florida when they play Florida Atlantic on the road in Boca Raton, Saturday, January 30 at 2 pm. The game will be broadcast nationally by the American Sports Network. Fans can watch the game in the Charlotte area on WCCB.
