2011 Charlotte 49ers Basketball: Charlotte vs Xavier

When attempting to make a comeback one thing you assume is that the rules of the game will be understood by all parties, coaches, players and officials alike. The failure in this area cost the Xavier Musketeers the chance to close to within two points late, and for some could even taint the result for Alan Major's Charlotte 49ers, who handed the Musketeers their first A-10 loss by the final of 66-62. Despite the fact that Xavier (15-6, 7-1) didn't help themselves out by making just three of twenty shots from beyond the arc, the mistake that officials made with 37 seconds remaining will be something that fans talk about in describing the contest.

The fun began with Chris Braswell grabbing a rebound with the 49ers (10-12, 2-6) up 60-56 and being fouled by Dante Jackson. But in his move to clear space and turn Braswell got his elbows up, connecting with the mouth of Tu Holloway. The intentional foul called was Braswell's fifth, but the officials sent him to the line for his free throws anyway and he missed both. Once discovered that Braswell was done, Charlotte was allowed to retake the throws but with the shooter of their choice.

Up steps Derrio Green who made both and pushed the lead out to six points. And while Holloway made his free throws to cut the lead back down to four (and Xavier got the ball back) they were essentially punished for an officiating error. From there the 49ers would make four free throws to combat a pair of Xavier layup to provide the final score.

Green made all ten of his foul shots in scoring a team-high 17 points while Braswell (12 points) and Javarris Barnett (13) also reached double figures. Mark Lyons (25 points) and Jamel McLean (17 and 10 rebounds) led the way for the Musketeers, who shot just 38.6% from the field and star Tu Holloway made just three of seventeen shots in scoring 12 points. The Musketeers got off to a good start, going on a 10-0 run to push their lead out to 16-4 with 11:19 left in the first half on a McLean layup. But Charlotte would methodically work their way back into the contest, eventually taking a 29-27 lead into the intermission.

Neither team would lead by more than five points in the second half until the 49ers went on a 13-1 run to turn a 43-39 deficit into a 52-43 lead with 7:53 remaining on a Gokhan Sirin three-pointer. From there Xavier would get no closer than to within three points the remainder of the way. Xavier next hosts Saint Louis on Saturday while Charlotte host George Washington the same day.

Atlantic 10 Conference Basketball Fans

Charlotte Hands Xavier First League Defeat