Observations from Wednesday's win over Saint Joseph's

-While Charlotte’s offense was far more in tune Wednesday night, so was the 49ers’ defense. Four times in the first half Charlotte played tough defense and forced the Hawks to launch a desperation shot before the shot clock expired. The first three St. Joseph’s missed, the last one went in.

-Hawks coach Phil Martelli said he noticed something about the 49ers early-on. “They were very verbal on the court but not in a disparaging way; they were talking to each other. They seemed to be very clear on what they were trying to do against us on both sides of the floor,” he said. Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz constantly reminds his team in practices good on-court communication in essential to good execution.

-The 49ers’ 50-23 halftime advantage set two new season highs and tied another. The 50 first-half points tied for the most in the first half this season; Charlotte’s at one time 29-point lead was the biggest first-half lead of the season and its 27-point halftime margin was the 49ers’ biggest of the season.

-For most of the final three minutes in the game, Charlotte had three walk-ons – Colby Lewis, Trevin Parks and Kyle Church – playing on the court and actually increased its lead, eventually settling for its 37-point margin of victory.

-Lutz showed up sporting a green blazer Wednesday night, intent on trying any method to help the 49ers end their three-game losing streak. The change came at the suggestion of his wife, Janet.