Senior Terrence Williams scored a career-high 27 points against the Hilltoppers. Photo by Chris Crews.

The Charlotte 49ers (13-17, 6-11) were defeated 88-84 in an overtime thriller by Western Kentucky (19-10, 12-5) on Thursday evening inside Halton Arena. The Hilltoppers had four players in double digits and they attacked the 49ers from all facets of the floor.

Charlotte won the tip and started to lock down defensively when they forced three turnovers early to ignite their offense as they were 5-5 from the field leading up to the first media timeout.

Western Kentucky tried to slow down the 49ers high octane offense by getting into a full court press; however, Charlotte easily broke down the Hilltoppers to score multiple layups.

With eight minutes remaining in the half, Charlotte was getting into their offensive rhythm by swinging the ball around the key when Terrence Williams gave a pump fake to get his man in the air. He then slashed his way through the lane and slammed the ball home with a two-handed dunk over Justin Johnson forcing Western Kentucky to burn a timeout.

The Hilltoppers would not go down easy as they came out of the timeout and hit three consecutive 3-pointers to spark their own offense. Western Kentucky went on a 14-2 scoring run, giving them a 31-26 advantage over Charlotte. The 49ers went on a four minute scoring drought which only fueled the Hilltoppers’ run.

At the half Western Kentucky led 39-33. Chris Harrison-Dock was the leading scoring with 11 points and two assists. Western Kentucky shot 50 percent from the field and 67 percent from the 3-point line. Charlotte was led by Braxton Obueze with 10 points and Pierriá Henry with four rebounds. As a team Charlotte shot 52 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Hilltoppers 16-13.

Western Kentucky was able to score 12 points off turnovers which proved to be a difference maker in the first half.

As the second half got under way, both teams continued to battle back and forth; however, it was Western Kentucky who commanded the lead. Charlotte tried to stall the Hilltoppers momentum by setting up in a full-court press with Henry at the helm. Henry set the tone for the Charlotte defense by putting his heart and soul on line. His aggressive hard-nosed defense forced multiple turnovers and steals resulting in a momentum swing for the 49ers.

At the 12:30 minute mark DJ Clayton drove hard to the basket but missed the layup. Henry, who was guarding Clayton, was brought down to the floor by Clayton on the drive. When Henry started to get up, he was pulled back by Clayton ultimately resulting in a technical foul. This play was the turning point in the second half. After the Clayton technical, Charlotte took their intensity to another level and started to mount a comeback.

The 49ers were able to pull within one point of the Hilltoppers with 10 minutes remaining when their revamped full-court press forced a steal and two free throws by Williams.

With seven minutes remaining Henry’s aggressive defense came back to bite him as he was forced to the bench with four fouls. Charlotte was only down 56-53 but their senior leader was on the bench. In Henry’s absence the 49ers relied on Williams to carry the load.

Henry entered the game at the 4:42 mark but his time on the court was short lived as he picked up his fifth foul with three minutes remaining.

Western Kentucky took advantage of Charlotte’s lack of low post presence and started to feed George Fant, a 6’6″ senior. Fant dominated the paint both offensively and defensively.

With one minute left in regulation Williams sank two free throws pulling the 49ers within four points. As time dwindled down, Keyshawn Woods found Williams at the top of the key leading to a deep 3-pointer with 25 seconds remaining.

“It was a great find by Keyshawn. He drove baseline and then kicked it back out to me. He had the confidence in me to knock it down. I made it and just tried to get us back in the game,” said Williams on his clutch 3-point shot at the end of regulation.

After fouling Western Kentucky again Charlotte was able to get the ball back for what would be the game tying jump hook basket by Mike Thorpe Jr. The scoreboard read 74-74 as the game was forced into overtime.

Charlotte won the overtime tip but fatigue from their full-court press started to show. Western Kentucky was able to pound the ball down low to Fant resulting in quick layups. Charlotte would not go down without a fight as Williams sank another 3-pointer and Willie Clayton added a short jumper to pull the 49ers within two points with 18 seconds left. Western Kentucky then hit four free throws down the stretch sealing the game with an 88-84 victory over the 49ers.

Charlotte was led by Williams who scored 27 points and added three assists. Western Kentucky was led by Fant who ended the night with 28 points and three steals.

The last home game of the 2014-15 season will be played Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m. against Marshall. Charlotte will honor seniors Henry and Williams as they conclude their careers as 49ers.