Behind 21 points from freshman Chris Braswell and a career-high 20 points from freshman guard Derrio Green, the Charlotte 49ers routed No. 18 Louisville Saturday night, 87-65 in Freedom Hall.
Braswell also pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds while Shammar Bowden added 17 points for the 49ers (6-1).
The 49ers made 10 of 24 three-pointers and dominated the Cardinals on the glass 49-35. The win was the 49ers first over a ranked team since they beat No. 16 Xavier at home in February and was the Cradinal's worst home loss since losing by 34 to the 49ers back in 2001 when the teams were both in Conference USA.
The duo of Bowden and Green combined to go 9 for 20 from behind the arc, including a couple that set back a second-half Louisville surge.
Without starters Jerry Smith and Peyton Siva, and prominent backup Preston Knowles, the Cardinals were never able to keep up with Charlotte. But with the way the 49ers were shooting, it might not have mattered.
The 49ers didn't waste much time getting started as Green knocked down three straight 3-pointers in the opening minutes to give the 49ers a 17-6 lead.
Prioir to the game, Rick Pitino said he was concerned with slowing down Shamari Spears on the inside. And they did, holding Spears to just nine points--12 under his average and nine rebounds.
The 49ers' backcourt made him pay for it.
The 49ers frustrated Samardo Samuels on the inside as Louisville couldn't match the 'Niners hot shooting. The 49ers took a 47-32 lead into halftime as Green buried yet another long three just before the buzzer. Green turned to the crowd and gave the "3 point" sign as he raced back down the floor.
Charlotte returns home on Tuesday night as part of a double-header with the women's team to take on Winston Salem State.
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