Charlotte knocks off Oklahoma State on Jon Davis game winner
Niners even their record to 1-1
Press release provided by Charlotte 49ers Athletics
Charlotte, N.C. — Charlotte senior guard Jon Davis nailed the game-winning three-pointer with .6 seconds on the clock as the 49ers (1-1) overcome a 24-point second half deficit to defeat the visiting Oklahoma State Cowboys (0-1) in a 66-64 thriller inside Halton Arena Saturday evening. The Charlotte defense held Oklahoma State without a basket for the final 7:36 of the contest when the Cowboys were leading 56-39 at the time.
“Jon Davis was really kind, after the game in the locker room he presented me with the game ball. How awesome is that,” said Charlotte 49ers coach Ron Sanchez after his first win as a college head coach. “I love the fact that we learned on Tuesday and got better. I loved their courage.”
Davis led all scorers with 27 points on 9-of-17 shooting (53 percent). Malik Martin tallied his second straight double-digit scoring effort with 13 points, while Dravon Mangum finished with 12 points. Milos Supica led the game with a career-high 12 boards.
Oklahoma State got off to a quick 7-0 start then the 49ers responded with a 7-0 run of their own capping off the run with a Martin layup tying the score at seven with 12:32 to go in the first half. The Cowboys then converted consecutive buckets to push the lead back to 12-7 before the 49ers took back the advantage 14-12 on a Martin three-pointer at the 8:47 mark.
The Cowboys answered on a steal and dunk from Cameron McGriff, who lead Oklahoma State with 17 points, to knot the score at 14. Oklahoma State grabbed the lead on a three-pointer to make it 17-14 with 7:28 on the clock and led for the remainder of the first half, leading by as many as 21. The Cowboys led 37-19 at the halftime break.
Oklahoma State continued to hold a commanding advantage in the second half, leading 50-26 with 14:01 remaining. The visitors led by 16 points (54-38) before Charlotte commenced their furious rally. Starting at the 7:47 mark, the 49ers executed a 17-2 run to cut the deficit down to 56-53 on a Mangum three-pointer with 2:16 to go. Davis then drained the game-tying three on the ensuing possession to tie the score at 56 at the 1:22 mark.
The Cowboys quickly regained the lead on a pair of free throws to make it 58-56. A Supica turnover and Charlotte foul allowed the visitors to knock-down two additional free throws to extend the advantage to 60-56 with 30 seconds left.
On the next 49ers possession, Mangum was fouled behind the three-point line and converted all three free throw attempts to trim the margin down to 60-59 with 18 seconds remaining. Oklahoma State’s McGriff converted two free throws pushing the Cowboys lead to three points. Charlotte’s Supica, who was fouled on an offensive rebound , went to the line knocking down two free throws with eight seconds left cutting Oklahoma State’s lead to 62-61. With seven seconds left, McGriff made two more free throws pushing the Cowboys lead to 64-61 with seven seconds on the clock.
A flagrant foul was called on Oklahoma State with five seconds left, allowing Davis to drain a pair of free throws and gave Charlotte the final possession in regulation. Davis buried the game-winning three-point basket from the top of the key with .6 left on the clock to give the 49ers an incredible comeback victory.
Oklahoma State shot just 23 percent (seven-of-30) from the field in the second half and three-of-14 (21 percent) from three-point range. Charlotte went 13-of-22 (59 percent) in the second half, finishing 43 percent (20-of-46) for the game.
The Charlotte 49ers return to action this Friday, November 16, hosting the James Madison Dukes inside Halton Arena. Tip-off is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Copyright 2018 WBTV. All rights reserved.