Charlotte Men's Basketball turned in an impressive performance to start the 2024-25 campaign as all five starters scored in double figures to give the Niners the 88-79 victory over visiting Presbyterian in Halton Arena Monday (Nov. 4) evening.

Last season, the 49ers only topped 85 points once and only shot 50 percent or better from three once. Charlotte accomplished both feats in the season opener this year.

The Niners were led by Robert Braswell IV and Jaehshon Thomas, who each finished with 18 points. Braswell IV shot a blazing five-of-six from three-point land and Thomas shot six-of-eight from the field and three-of-four from deep.

Head Men's Basketball Coach Aaron Fearne also got career-high displays from Giancarlo Rosado (16 points, eight assists, and five rebounds) and Rich Rolf (15 points, five-of-nine from the field and three-of-five from deep.) Graves also scored in double figures with 13 points and four assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After having their 13-point lead dwindle to three late in the first half, the 49ers responded with a authoritative 11-2 run to end the half. The sequence was kickstarted by back-to-back threes from Rolf and Braswell IV that extended a 34-31 lead to 40-31 en route to the 45-33 halftime score.

The 49ers flipped the game early in the first half with a 17-2 run that turned a 10-8 deficit into a 25-12 lead. Braswell IV made a pair of threes in the run and Isaiah Folkes punctuated the six-minute stretch with a steal and one of his patented two-handed slams.

The Charlotte lead would grow to as many as 15 points in the second half before Presbyterian whittled the deficit to a seven-point, 65-58 game. Undeterred, Bobby Buckets delivered again, nailing a corner three with an assist from Nik Graves to improve to four-of-five from behind the arc and move the 49ers' lead back to double digits.

Two possessions late in the second half provided the proverbial dagger to the Blue Hose. Thomas found Rolf for a three on the wing and then in the next trip down the floor, Graves corralled an offensive rebound and found Thomas for three second-chance points in the form of a long-range bomb. With 1:40 left to play, Thomas returned with another triple and the 84-72 advantage. The Aurora, Ill., native and junior college product scored 11 of his 18 points in the second half.

STAT FACTS
The starting five for the 49ers were Braswell, Graves, Rolf, Rosado, and Thomas. It was a coming out party for Rolf as the redshirt sophomore had only appeared in three games for a total of 34 minutes of floor time in his career prior to this game. The Centerville, Ohio native played 36 minutes Monday night.

Charlotte dished out 19 assists while only turning the ball over five times.

Rosado shot five-of-eight from the field and he was a perfect six-for-six on free throws.

The Niners were without Kylan Blackmon, Nika Metskhvarishvili, and Jeremiah Oden against Presbyterian.

December 10, 2022 was the last time that five Charlotte players all scored in double figures.

The 49ers have won their last four season openers now.

UP NEXT
Later this week, the Niners will embark on their first road trip of the season, a date with Utah State in Logan, Utah on Saturday, Nov. 9. Charlotte will face off against the Aggies at 7 p.m. Eastern.