Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Victor Nickerson collected 12 points to help
lift the Charlotte 49ers to a 66-65 win over the Massachusetts Minutemen in
Atlantic 10 conference play at Halton Arena.
Ivan Benkovic was the only other double-digit scorer for Charlotte (17-4, 5-2
A-10), as he finished with 10 points off the bench. The 49ers were playing
their first game without leading scorer DeMario Mayfield (11.7 ppg), who was
suspended indefinitely earlier this week for violating team rules.
Terrell Vinson shot 9-of-13 from the floor en route to a game-high 23 points
for the Minutemen (14-6, 4-3), who entered the day with wins in 11 of their
previous 13 outings. Chaz Williams chipped in with 16 points in a losing
effort.
The first half featured seven ties and seven lead changes. Charlotte grabbed a
34-31 halftime lead thanks to a 6-0 spurt late in the frame.
The 49ers stretched their advantage to 43-35 on a three-point play by Willie
Clayton at the 15:21 mark of the second half. They never trailed the rest of
the way, although UMass had a chance to go ahead on its final possession but
Williams turned the ball over.
Charlotte overcame a 39.7-percent shooting effort for the game by forcing 19
turnovers and pulling down 19 offensive rebounds.
GAME NOTES:
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