March 3, 2004

Final Stats

Houston, Texas- - The University of Charlotte spoiled the efforts of seniors Marcus Oliver and Anwar Ferguson as the 49ers used a hot shooting touch to defeat the University of Houston men's basketball team, 82-61, Wednesday night in Hofheinz Pavilion.

Oliver and Ferguson are the only two seniors on this year's roster and were playing their last home game for the Cougars. Oliver finished the game with 15 points, while Ferguson led the team with nine rebounds and four blocked shots.

But, Charlotte spoiled those efforts as the 49ers made seven of their 10 three-point attempts in the second half after Houston held the 49ers to just 31.3 percent beyond the three-point arc in the first half. The Cougars made six of their 13 three-point attempts, while Charlotte made just five of its 16 three-point tries in the opening period.

Houston trailed by one, 35-34, at the intermission as Andre Owens scored 13 of his team-high 23 points and Oliver added 10 points in the opening period.

But, Charlotte opened the second half with a 10-2 run to open up a nine-point lead, 45-36, with 17:07 left to play. Martin Iti led the run with a pair of jumpers, and Butter Johnson added three points after a dunk and hitting one of his two free throws. Oliver's 10-foot jumper in the middle of the lane accounted for Houston's only score during that stretch.

The Cougars never got closer than seven points the rest of the way as Demon Brown scored 19 of his game-high 26 points in the final 12 minutes of the game to help the 49ers seal the victory.

The loss put Houston in a must-win situation on Friday night when the Cougars travel to Saint Louis for their final regular season game. The Cougars trail Tulane and East Carolina by one game in their efforts to earn the 12th and final spot in the Conference USA Tournament on March 10-13.

Houston falls to 9-17 overall and 3-12 in Conference USA play with the loss. They end the regular season Friday night at St. Louis.