Niners bounce back with 4th straight win

The Charlotte 49ers women’s basketball team, fresh off its first Atlantic 10 Conference title, got a rude awakening to the new season.

A tough schedule combined with trying to replace the roles of two prominent starters lost to graduation left the 49ers off to a 1-5 start.

On Saturday, Charlotte defeated former Conference USA rival Southern Miss 72-53 at Halton Arena, finishing a four-game homestand undefeated.

The 49ers (5-5) had four players in double figures, led by 16 points apiece from Erin Floyd and Ashley Spriggs.

“This is the type of team we’ve been looking for. There’s no question we are a better team when we have three or four people in double figures and our guards on the boards,” said Charlotte coach Karen Aston.

“It’s better when we’re not just standing around watching one person play.”

Charlotte held Southern Miss (4-5) to 28.1 percent shooting from the field, including 20.6 percent in the second half.

While the 49ers struggled from the 3-point line (3-of-15), they took full advantage of their numerous visits to the free throw line, making 19-of-22 shots.

“We started off the year extremely rough,” said Floyd. “We didn’t loss a lot of girls, but we lost important roles on this team. It took a while for our freshmen to get adjusted to our system.

“There’s nothing like playing at home. We know what it’s like to win here now and that will only make us better.”

The 49ers return to the road and play next Sunday at No. 3 Notre Dame.