RUSTON, LA. — Five 49ers scored in double-figures led by a career-high 24 points from freshman Jon Davis and Braxton Ogbueze’s 22 points, but the Charlotte 49ers were narrowly defeated in overtime by the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 93-90.
Davis recorded his first career 20-point scoring game with 24 points. Ogbueze recorded his third 20-point scoring game of the season with 22 points. He connected on six three-point field goals in the game. The senior guard has hit at least five three-pointers in four of his last seven games.
Senior center Joseph Uchebo scored 18 points and grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds, which marked the 49ers first 20-rebound performance since Curt Withers accomplished the feat, February 4, 2006. Rookie Curran Scott scored 12 points off the bench and classmate Andrien White with his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Charlotte began the game by scoring seven of the first nine points behind baskets by Uchebo, Anthony Vanhook and a three from Andrien White.
Charlotte pushed their first half lead to 15-6 when Jon Davis scored inside with 15:16 on the clock. Louisiana Tech went on a 6-0 run over the next two minutes cutting Charlotte’s lead to 17-12. Charlotte answered Louisiana Tech’s run by scoring eight of the next 11 points taking a 25-15 lead when Scott scored inside with 11:50 on the clock. Scott scored four points during the run, while Davis and Uchebo also scored during the 49ers run.
Louisiana Tech took the lead, 27-26, after Derric Jean scored inside with 6:06 on the clock completing a 12-1 run by the Bulldogs.
For the remainder of the first half, the game was tied a couple of times with a couple of lead changes. Ogbueze gave the 49ers a 40-38 halftime lead after connecting on a long three from the top of the key at the first half buzzer.
Louisiana Tech scored the first eight points of the second half taking a 46-40 lead with 17:19 on the clock. Louisiana Tech maintained their lead until Davis knocked down a three giving the 49ers a 50-49 lead with15:37 on the clock.
The lead exchanged hands several times with a couple of ties over the next couple of minutes. Then, Louisiana Tech took a 56-54 with 12:27 on the clock. The Bulldogs pushed their lead to 70-62 when Dayon Griffin knocked down a three with 7:35 on the clock.
With Louisiana Tech leading 78-71 with 4:37 on the clock, Charlotte scored 10 of the final 15 points of regulation sending the game into overtime when Davis scored inside with 17 seconds on the clock.
Charlotte’s White scored the first four points of the overtime period giving the 49ers an 87-83 lead. Then, Louisiana Tech went on a 8-0 run taking a 91-87 lead when Griffin knocked down a free throw with 14 seconds on the clock.
Ogbueze knocked down a three from the wing cutting Louisiana Tech’s lead to 91-90. Louisiana Tech’s Hamilton made two free throws with nine seconds on the clock. Three-point field goal attempts by Davis and Camidge in the final seconds were just off the mark.
The 49ers return to Halton Arena to play Middle Tennessee in their Conference USA home opener,Thursday, January 14 at 7 pm.
