Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - DeMario Mayfield scored 15 points off the
bench, and the Charlotte 49ers outlasted the Central Michigan Chippewas,
78-66, in non-conference action from Halton Arena.
Denzel Ingram added 13 points for the 49ers (9-0), who are off to their best
start in school history. Willie Clayton tallied 10 points and nine rebounds in
the win, while reserve Chris Braswell scored eight points and pulled down a
dozen boards.
Kyle Randall paced the Chippewas (4-4) with 15 points, although he shot a
dismal 4-of-17 from the floor and his eight turnovers nearly matched
Charlotte's team total of nine. Olivier Mbaigoto and John Simons each scored
13 in the loss, while Blake Hibbitts contributed 11 points and seven rebounds
off the bench.
The first half featured five ties and three lead changes, as neither team shot
better than 40 percent from the floor in the opening frame. Charlotte claimed
a 31-27 halftime lead thanks in part to an 8-0 run in the middle of the
period.
A layup by Randall cut the deficit to 34-32 with 17:31 to play, but Mayfield
answered with a 3-pointer on the other end, kick-starting a 14-3 run for
Charlotte. The 49ers went on to shoot 62.1 percent from the floor over the
final 20 minutes, including a 7-of-14 effort from 3-point range.
Defensively, Charlotte held CMU to 35.7-percent shooting for the game and also
forced 16 turnovers. The 49ers were efficient on the offensive end, tallying
23 assists on 30 field goals.
GAME NOTES:
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