Charlotte 49ers Kick Off Season with Victory Over Presbyterian
Charlotte, NC — The Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team started their 2024-25 season on a high note with an impressive 88-79 win against the visiting Presbyterian Blue Hose on Monday evening at Halton Arena. This performance is significant as it marks a strong beginning for the Niners, who had struggled with scoring in previous seasons.
Strong Team Performance
All five starters from the Niners scored in double figures, showcasing a balanced offensive effort. The standout performers were Robert Braswell IV and Jaehshon Thomas, both contributing 18 points each. Braswell was particularly effective from the three-point line, making five of six attempts, while Thomas converted six of eight shots from the field, including three of four from beyond the arc.
Head Coach Aaron Fearne also saw significant contributions from Giancarlo Rosado, who scored 16 points, dished out eight assists, and added five rebounds. Rich Rolf chipped in 15 points with an efficient shooting performance, while Nik Graves rounded out the double-digit scorers with 13 points and four assists. This collective effort was a bright spot for the team, as they had only exceeded 85 points once in the entire previous season.
A Turnaround in Momentum
The game shifted in favor of the Niners after facing a challenging first half. They initially held a 13-point lead, but saw it shrink to just three points late in the first half. In response, the Niners launched an authoritative 11-2 run that extended their lead back to 12 points by halftime. This crucial stretch was sparked by consecutive threes from Rolf and Braswell, bringing the score to 45-33 as they headed into the locker room.
Charlotte continued to assert their dominance early in the second half with a 17-2 run, flipping a 10-8 deficit into a comfortable 25-12 lead. Highlights included Braswell’s two three-pointers and a memorable two-handed slam by Isaiah Folkes. As the game progressed, the Niners built their lead to as much as 15 points.
Clutch Performance Seals the Win
Despite Presbyterian narrowing the gap to seven points at 65-58, Charlotte’s composure shone through. Bobby Buckets answered with a corner three-pointer, quickly extending the lead back to double digits. Two pivotal plays late in the game further sealed the victory: Thomas found Rolf for another three-pointer, and Graves made a crucial offensive rebound to assist Thomas, who sank another long-range shot.
With only 1:40 remaining in the game, Thomas delivered yet another triple, solidifying the Niners’ lead at 84-72, effectively shutting the door on any hopes of a Blue Hose comeback. Impressively, Thomas scored 11 of his 18 points in the second half.
Looking Ahead
Statistically, the 49ers showcased impressive metrics; they amassed 19 assists while committing only five turnovers. Rosado’s perfect six-for-six on free throws stood out as well. The Niners, who were without three key players, showed resilience and versatility.
This victory against Presbyterian marks the fourth consecutive win in season openers for the 49ers, their last such instance being on December 10, 2022, when five players scored in double figures. Up next, Charlotte is set to embark on their first road trip of the season, facing Utah State in Logan, Utah, on Saturday, November 9, with the tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
