Jon Davis. Photo by Chris Crews
For the second consecutive game, Charlotte (4-12, 1-3) found themselves in a nail-biting finish. But similar to the first game, Charlotte struggled to finish, losing to Middle Tennessee (11-5, 2-1) 73-72 in the first of their four-game homestand at Halton Arena.
“It was obviously a tough loss,” coach Mark Price said after the game. “We felt like we played well enough to win the game but we are disappointed in the way it ended up. My guys gave it all they had.”
For the third straight game, five Charlotte players scored in double figures led by Braxton Ogbueze with 19 points. Curran Scott started the game in place of Anthony Vanhook (ankle) and contributed 16 points. Joseph Uchebo recorded another double-double with 11 points and 18 rebounds. After being named Conference USA Freshman of the Week, Jon Davis followed order with 13 points and five assists. Andrien White ended the night with ten points, as well.
Curran Scott drives to the basket. Photo by Ben Coon
Charlotte continued their hot shooting streak, connecting on 3-pointers on their first three possessions. A White 3-pointer would give Charlotte their largest lead in the half at five. The 49ers held the lead for the majority of the first 20 minutes, but second-chance points by the Blue Raiders derailed any momentum Charlotte possessed. In the first half, Middle Tennessee tallied 11 offensive rebounds and ten second-chance points. Charlotte would go down 37-36 at half.
The second 20 minutes would remain a tight contest with the biggest lead margin being five points. A 3-pointer by Ogbueze would give Charlotte the biggest lead at the half. But Middle Tennessee would get back into the game behind five-straight Giddy Potts points, who ended the night with 29 points, to tie the game at 52 halfway through the second half. The game would be tied nine times during the half.
Charlotte would get the lead back shortly after behind three-pointers by Ridell Camidge and Davis to put the 49ers up 58-54. But the Blue Raiders would rally behind Potts and even the score again at 58.
Ridell Camidge find Joseph Uchebo in the post. Photo by Benjamin Robson
After back-and-forth exchanges, Charlotte would have a two-point lead with five minutes left to go on an Ogbueze 3-pointer. Down the stretch, Potts proved to be too much as he connected on two clutch jumpers to give Middle Tennessee a three-point advantage with less than two minutes left. On the next possession, Uchebo would complete a three-point play to tie the game at 69. Ogbueze would make two free throws after a strong defensive possession to give Charlotte a 71-69 lead.
With under a minute to play, Middle Tennesee’s Darnell Harris would convert on a contested 3-pointer to take a one-point lead. Scott would split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 72. With 30 seconds left to go, Charlotte would foul and give Middle Tennesee to clinch the victory at the free-throw line. Reggie Upshaw Jr., who finished the night 3-8 at the charity stripe, would make the final free throw. With less than three seconds Charlotte failed to get a shot off and suffer a tough defeat.
Middle Tennessee survives in the final seconds. Photo by Chris Crews
“Our guys are playing really good basketball right now,” Price said. “Now we got to take it to the next level and learn how to win close games.”
Charlotte continues their four-game homestand Saturday, Jan. 16 against UAB. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.