Charlotte Men’s Basketball Secures First Road Win of the Season in Atlanta
ATLANTA, Ga. – In an exciting showdown this Saturday, the Charlotte 49ers displayed remarkable teamwork and determination to achieve their first road victory of the season with a dominating 77-63 win against Georgia State. This success bumps their record to 5-4, while Georgia State drops to 4-6. With four players scoring in double digits, the 49ers truly showcased their depth and talent on the court.
Second Half Surge
Leading by just 32-25 at halftime, the 49ers came out with an exhilarating 8-0 run to kick off the second half, pushing the advantage to a comfortable lead that the Panthers couldn’t overcome. From that moment, every time Georgia State tried to close the gap, Charlotte had a response, keeping the Panthers at bay throughout the game.
It was clear that Robert Braswell IV was on fire, leading the team with 19 points, shooting an efficient 5-of-9 from the field and an impressive 8-of-10 from the free throw line. He had some memorable moments, including a stunning dunk early in the game that pumped up the crowd. Joining him in double-digit scoring was Nik Graves, who continued his impressive season streak with 15 points, making him a consistent offensive threat.
Team Contributions
Other notable performances came from Jaehshon Thomas, who added 13 points and grabbed a team-high 7 rebounds, and Isaiah Folkes, who poured in 10 points off the bench. Their contributions played a critical role in Charlotte’s success, especially in the second half.
The 49ers didn’t just shine offensively; they put on a masterclass in defense as well. They managed to hold Georgia State to just 34.5 percent shooting from the field and a mere 11.1 percent from three-point range. This marked some of the best defensive stats for Charlotte this season. The Panthers struggled to find their rhythm, not hitting their second three-pointer until there were just 2:05 left in the game!
Game Highlights
As the game unfolded, it was evident that Charlotte was controlling the pace. The Niners exploited Georgia State’s turnovers, having claimed 9 points off turnovers in the first half alone. Their aggressiveness translated to hard-earned second-chance points as well, where they outscored the Panthers 11-10 in that category despite being out-rebounded.
The pivotal plays really began to pile up as the 49ers took significant lead with under seven minutes left. Braswell capped off an impressive sequence with a tough layup, which he converted for a traditional three-point play. This play sent a strong message and surged Charlotte’s lead to an impressive 18 points.
Looking Ahead
With the win under their belt, the Niners are optimistic and ready to return home to face West Georgia. This game is set for Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. in Halton Arena. Following this, they’ll travel to Hawaii for the prestigious Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, hoping to continue their winning momentum.
As basketball fans, we’ve got a lot to be excited about as the Charlotte team showcases their skill and determination on the court. Stay tuned for future games as they aim for more victories and continue to build upon their successes!
