3 things to like, 3 to dislike about Mercer win

MACON, Ga. -- Three things I liked about the 49ers' 64-63 victory against Mercer on Thursday, Charlotte's third straight:

-- This is the kind of game Charlotte would have lost a month ago. The 49ers have discovered what it takes to win close games at the end (Wright State, Tennessee included). With Atlantic 10 play looming, that's a trait that will serve the 49ers well as the season progresses.

-- The 49ers found their shooting stroke, hitting a season-high 54.3 percent of their shots. Javarris Barnett was seven-of-nine, An'Juan Wilderness and Chris Braswell each three-of-four and Phil Jones four-of-seven. Only the guards, Derrio Green and Deuce Briscoe, struggled some, going a combined eight of 20. You get the sense though, that Green is rediscovering his touch.

-- The 49ers won with Briscoe having an off game. He was three of nine, missed all three of his 3-pointers, had more turnovers than assists (6 to 5) and missed much of the latter stages due to foul trouble.

Three things I didn't like:

-- Not only were those 22 turnovers a season high, but several were unforced. Green dribbled the ball off his foot -- under no pressure -- with Charlotte clinging to a 61-60 lead with 2:10 left.

-- Only six offensive rebounds. Enough said ...

-- ... But I'll say more. The game was made closer than it should have been when Mercer's Brian Mills slipped around Charlotte defenders and scored after a missed free throw with 18 seconds left. That cut the lead to 64-63. Never should have been that close had the 49ers been fundamentally sound there.