Charleston defeats Charlotte 74-67
Charleston 74, Charlotte 67: The Cougars' Dominant Performance
In a tightly contested non-conference matchup, the Charleston Cougars (22-2) showcased their dominance on both ends of the court, defeating visiting team Charlotte (14-10) by a margin of seven points.
The game was played at TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina, where the home crowd provided a formidable challenge for the visitors. As expected, the Cougars came out strong, leading 39-33 at halftime behind the hot shooting of Martin Kalu. The senior forward poured in 18 points, including four three-pointers, and grabbed eight rebounds to lead all scorers.
At the break, Charleston's 10-point advantage seemed insurmountable for Charlotte. However, the visitors refused to back down, trimming their deficit to five points with just over a minute left in the game. The Cougars responded by pushing their lead back up to seven points, and despite a late surge from Charlotte, they held firm.
Damoni Harrison led the 49ers with 15 points, but it was not enough to overcome the Charleston defense. Anton Bonke added 12 points, including eight rebounds, to help Charlotte stay within striking distance.
In terms of statistics, Charleston's strong performance on the glass and in the paint was a major factor in their victory. The Cougars outrebounded Charlotte by four boards and dominated inside, scoring 42 points compared to the visitors' 32. On the other hand, Charlotte struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 24% (7-29) from three-point range.
Charleston's balanced attack, which included 14 assists and only 12 turnovers, also contributed to their win. The Cougars' true shooting percentage of 56.9% and free throw rate of 27.6% were impressive metrics that highlighted the team's efficiency on offense.
The victory moves Charleston up in the rankings, while Charlotte will need to regroup after a tough loss. For now, the Cougars can celebrate their 10th win at home this season and continue their pursuit of a strong non-conference record.
Game Stats:
* Charleston (HOME):
+ Field Goals: 29/58 (50.0%)
+ 2-Point FG: 23/38 (60.5%)
+ 3-Point FG: 6/20 (30.0%)
+ Free Throws: 10/16 (63.0%)
+ Rebounds: 32 (Off: 8, Def: 24)
+ Assists: 14
+ Turnovers: 12
* Charlotte (AWAY):
+ Field Goals: 24/58 (41.0%)
+ 2-Point FG: 17/29 (58.6%)
+ 3-Point FG: 7/29 (24.0%)
+ Free Throws: 12/14 (86.0%)
+ Rebounds: 32 (Off: 9, Def: 23)
+ Assists: 16
+ Turnovers: 11