Observations from Rhode Island

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Observations from Charlotte's 58-50 victory against Rhode Island:

 

Coach Alan Major described Charlotte's defense against Rhode Island guard Xavier Munford (the Atlantic 10's second-leading scorer who had just eight points) and the 49ers' depth in the same way:

 

"It's a community service project," said Major, whose team held Rhode Island to 38.3 percent shooting -- the 12th time this season an opponent has shot less than 40 percent. “With (Munford), you can’t put one guy on him, because he’s too good."

 

DeMario Mayfield (17 points) and Willie Clayton (11 points, 13 rebounds) were the only 49ers in double figures (17 points). But Major spread playing time pretty evenly out among nine players, which helped wear down the Rams.

 

"With the depth, that’s the other half of the community service project," said Major. "One guy picks up the trash; the other cleans the pool. That’s our strength. We don’t rely on one or two guys to carry us the whole game.”

  -- Charlotte sophomore guard Terrence Williams continues to be mired in a shooting slump. Williams was 0 for 7 against Rhode Island, scoring two points from the free-throw line. Williams is shooting 23.8 percent (16 of 67) in Charlotte’s last nine games.

-- Point guard Pierria Henry’s 10 rebounds weren’t a season or career high for him. He had 11 in the season opener against Texas State. Henry, incidentally, appeared to catch an inadvertent elbow from teammate Willie Clayton in the first half and came away with a bloody nose.

-- It was a homecoming of sorts for 49ers assistant Desmond Oliver, who is also a former assistant at Rhode Island under former Rams coach Jim Baron.

-- Rhode Island figures to get better under first-year coach Dan Hurley. The Rams have four Division I transfers waiting in the wings – they actually sat on the bench Saturday – to play next season.

-- Charlotte’s 14 victories have surpassed last season’s 13 total victories.