DENTON, Texas – Trailing by 11 at halftime, the Charlotte 49ers (11-21) stormed back in the second half to edge past 12th-seeded Rice (13-19) 64-61, securing a spot in the second round of the 2025 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship.
With Wednesday's (March 11) victory at The Super Pit in Denton, Texas, the Niners earned their first win in a conference tournament since the 2015-16 season. 13th-seeded Charlotte advances to face fifth-seeded Florida Atlantic in the second round on Thursday, March 12, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Charlotte capitalized on a missed go-ahead jumper by Rice and a crucial pair of free throws from Giancarlo Rosado to take a 64-61 lead with 6.