Notes: Andersen on fire in first half of Clemson-Charlotte game

Some more notes from the Charlotte 49ers' 71-70 loss to Clemson at Halton Arena on Saturday night:

• Charlotte's Ian Andersen led all scorers with a career-high 21 points. He hit 7-of-11 3-pointers and his seven 3s tied for second-most in Halton Arena history, two shy of the arena record of nine set by Leemire Goldwire last season in the 49ers' win over Davidson.

Andersen scored 15 of his 21 in first half and almost single-handedly kept the 49ers in the game.

"I think a lot of my points (in the first half) came from DiJuan (Harris) driving down and (Clemson) was kind of sagging off and I was able to run the wing and he flew down the floor and hit me," Andersen said.

"In the second half (Andersen had six points), I think Clemson maybe didn't sag off as much and the openings on the break were not as often as the first."

• There was one common bright spot mentioned after the game by Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz as well as most anyone associated with the team - the game atmosphere and accompanying large student turn out.

"It sounds like me saying the same old song and dance but the students were just phenomenal. They've rallied the last two years. I couldn't me more happy professionally or personally," Lutz said. "It's humbling, really, the way they have adopted this group of guys and me.

"It just kills us not to get victories when they are here like they were tonight. It was back to the good old days (Saturday). We've had a good atmosphere a lot, but the (student) numbers were just so big tonight."

• Unfortunately for Charlotte fans - and fans of Clemson in the Charlotte area - it doesn't appear the two-year home-and-home series between the 49ers and Tigers will be renewed any time soon. "Right now, they don't want to extend (the agreement)," Lutz said.

"It's understandable; every team has to do what's right for them. I would hope maybe we could consider doing it again based on the experiences we've had. What we try to do so desperately to do is get folks that are this good to come in here. It was terrific tonight."

-- Jim Utter