Observations from Saturday's win at UMass

-While UMass focused much of its defensive efforts in the first half on Charlotte’s inside tandem of Shamari Spears and Chris Braswell, 49ers sophomore shooting guard Derrio Green made the Minutemen pay from the outside. Green finished the half with 21 points, including a 5-for-10 performance from behind the 3-point line. Green finished with a career-high 34 points and his eight 3-pointers are the most by an opponent in Mullins Center history.

-Now this was taking advantage of an unexpected opportunity. Early in the game, Charlotte point guard DiJuan Harris attempted a pass into the lane but it hit UMass player Matt Hill and deflected into the hands of Green, who quickly buried a 3-pointer. Do you think Hill wants the assist?

-Upon arriving in the area on Friday afternoon, the 49ers’ players took a visit to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

-Jerry Gappens, a former vice president at Charlotte Motor Speedway and member of the board of the UNC Charlotte Athletic Foundation, was on hand for Saturday’s game, sitting with a small group of 49ers fans. Gappens is now president of New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H.

-The 49ers return to action on Wednesday when they host George Washington at 7:30 p.m. at Halton Arena. Charlotte split its two games with the Colonials last season, with each team winning at home.