Dec. 29, 2001

Box Score

Washington, D.C. - Seniors Cam Stephens and Jobey Thomas led a ferocious 49ers attack as Charlotte defeated George Washington, 97-87. Stephens finished with a career-best double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds while Thomas matched his career-high with 29 points. It was Stephens' fourth double-double of the year.

The 49ers held off a GW team that had comeback to win from double-digit second half deficits four times this year. The Colonials, who trailed by as many as 15 in the second half, got as close as five, but the 49ers hit enough free throws down the stretch to stop the charge. After the Colonials got as close as five, 85-80 with 1:36 to play, Stephens hit a pair of free throws and following a Curtis Nash steal, Nash hit two free throws as well. A pair of Chris Monroe (26 points) free throws were followed by a Stephens dunk to push the lead back to nine, 91-82 with 45 seconds left.

Stephens was 7-of-9 from the floor and hit 10-of-11 free throws while Thomas hit 10-of-15 shots, nailing three three-pointers. Nash added 14 points and hit 7-of-8 free throws. All eight 49ers that played scored.

In all 55 fouls were called in the game, with four players fouling out.

Thomas scored 12 of 14 points during a 14-5 run in the first half that gave the 49ers a 21-16 lead in the early going. The lead would reach 14 and Thomas would finish the half with 16 as Charlotte took a 47-33 halftime lead. Stephens added eight points and seven rebounds in the opening frame and eight different 49ers hit the scoring column in the half.

The 49ers shot .537 for the game, marking the second time this year the Niners have eclipsed the .500 mark (Long Beach State, .667). The 49ers, led by Stephens muscle underneath, also enjoyed a 47-29 rebounding advantage, the fourth time this year the 49ers have outrebounded the opponents by double figures.