Head coach Cara Consuegra directs Lefty Webster to slow the tempo down. Photo by Benjamin Robson

After two grueling back-to-back road trips, the 49ers are finally returning to Halton Arena for a two game homestand. Charlotte is slated for a Conference USA matchup with Florida International, Thursday, Jan. 28. The game will mark only the fourth meeting between the two schools all-time. Charlotte leads the series 2-1 and is undefeated at home, most recently defeating the Panthers by double-digits in 2014. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

The 49ers looked phenomenal for the first 30 minutes in last week’s matchup with Marshall. Charlotte entered the fourth quarter holding a 17-point lead and while the game ended on Griffin Dempsey’s buzzer beater, Charlotte learned a lot about themselves. Head coach Cara Consuegra said that her team didn’t play like themselves and became tentative down the stretch although they executed well to win the game. The 49ers may face the same challenge Thursday as their opponent averages just 62.1 points per game. If Charlotte jumps out to an early lead, they’ll have the opportunity to showcase what they learned about maintaining intensity for 40 minutes while holding the upper hand.

FIU SCOUTING REPORT

According to Consuegra, “FIU’s record is very deceiving.”

The Panthers currently sit last in the conference standings holding a winless record. However, as Consuegra mentioned, their first five players are as good as any players in the league. FIU boasts three players scoring in double-figures. Fortunately for Charlotte, they match up well on paper as two of FIU’s offensive threats are guards. Ciara Gregory, Lefty Webster, Laia Raventós and Grace Hunter have done well thus far holding their opponent to just 30 percent shooting from the perimeter. If the 49ers can keep the Panthers out of the paint, they’ll make scoring that much more difficult which most likely will translate to success for Charlotte.