49ers' tourney hopes nicked

Published Feb. 18, 2010 at 9:01 a.m.
With the enticing carrot of an NCAA tournament bid hanging on a stick in the distance, this was not how the Charlotte 49ers wanted to open a three-game homestand.

...The 49ers saw a 10-point second-half lead whither away in an avalanche of self-induced turnovers as Duquesne rallied for an 83-77 victory Wednesday night at Halton Arena.

...The loss prevented Charlotte (18-7, 8-3) from remaining in a tie for first-place atop the Atlantic 10 standings and was just the second time this season the 49ers had lost consecutive games.

...Perhaps more troubling was the 49ers' 10 second-half turnovers which led to Charlotte's collapse.

..."Honestly, it's disappointing to lose at home but no embarrassment losing to Duquesne, who did the things they needed to tonight to win the game," said Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz.

..."You can't shoot 32 percent and expect to beat a team like them, especially turning the ball over 10 times in the second half."

...Most of Charlotte's problems came to light after the 49ers took a 10-point lead, going up 50-40 with 17 minutes, 12 seconds left in the game.

...On Charlotte's next two possessions Duquesne forward Damian Saunders came up with steals which ignited a 16-1 run that gave the Dukes a 56-51 lead with 12:35 left in the game.

...The Dukes pushed their margin to as much as nine points, going up 67-58, with 6:56 to go.

...The 49ers stayed within striking distance and got a timely Duquesne turnover after cutting the Dukes' lead to five with 33 seconds left in the game. Ian Andersen capitalized for the 49ers, draining a 3-pointer which left Charlotte trailing 79-77 with 26 seconds left.

...Jason Duty hit two free throws with 23 seconds left to push Duquesne's lead back to four and Charlotte missed three tries at the basket. Duquesne's Sean Johnson hit two more free throws with seven seconds left to close the game.

..."We've fought and scratched and clawed and we've lost some really tough games this year," said Duquesne coach Ron Everhart. "We executed very well down the stretch even against some junk defenses that made us stand around a little bit."

...Duquesne (14-12, 5-7) was led by B.J. Monteiro's 19 points. Bill Clark scored 18, including a 4-of-8 performance from the 3-point line.

...Charlotte did have its bright spots in the game, outrebounding Duquesne 49-34 and had another stellar night from the free throw line, making 29 of 33 shots (87.9 percent).

...Junior forward Shamari Spears led the 49ers with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Braswell finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

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