SPORTS

 

DAVIDSON, N.C.  — Suzi-Rose Deegan had her second 30-point game of the season, but Charlotte used a pair of second-half runs to pull away as Davidson fell to its cross-county rival 75-64 on its homecourt Saturday afternoon inside John M. Belk Arena.

The Wildcats (7-5) led at halftime 35-33, but the 49ers ran off a 12-4 run to open the third quarter to take back the lead and then went up by 13 (64-51) on a 13-2 run to begin the fourth quarter. The ‘Cats were never able to recover.

Davidson did get within three points (47-44, 49-46 and 51-48) in the third quarter three times, but Charlotte answered each time.

In her first collegiate start, Deegan hit 12-of-21 shots with five free throws and a three-pointer on her way to an even 30 points. She also chipped in a season-high tying nine rebounds and pocketed a season-best three steals.

Katie Turner dropped in 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting and swished home all seven of her free throws. The ‘Cats’ second-leading scorer, Sarah Donovan, battled foul trouble all afternoon before fouling out and finished with just three points and seven rebounds.

Charlotte (8-2) put four scorers in double figures led by Jada McMillian’s 17 points. Jade Phillips and Mariah Linney had 14 each, while Christian Hithe finished with 13 points, including seven in the fourth quarter.

The 49ers hit 51 percent of their shots on the day, while going 20-for-25 at the charity stripe. They were 11-for-13 in the fourth quarter at the line and combined to hit 15-of-25 shots from the floor in the second half.

Davidson was held to 37.7 percent, just its third game under 40 percent, and were only 2-of-10 from behind arc. It did go 16-of-21 at the 15-foot line, while hauling in 13 of its 33 total rebounds on offense.

Trailing 13-6 early in the first quarter, the Wildcats closed on a 9-2 run that was finished off by a three-point play from Turner for a 15-all score after quarter one.

Deegan helped Davidson pull ahead in the second quarter on back-to-back layups to break an 18-all tie less than two minute into the quarter. She scored eight of the ‘Cats’ first 12 points and went on to net 12 overall as the Wildcats held a 35-33 lead at the break.

Davidson will enjoy an eight-day Christmas break before traveling to Gainesville, Fla., to take on Florida, Dec. 29.

GAME NOTES: This was the 30th meeting all-time between both team’s women’s basketball programs … Charlotte now holds a 19-11 record in the series … Davidson had its three-game home winning streak snapped … the Wildcats had 38 points in the paint and got 15 second-chance points … the game featured four lead changes and six ties … Deegan is the first Wildcat to have a pair of 30-point games in the same season since Dakota Dukes ’16 did it in the 2013-14 season.