March 1, 2006

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Curtis Withers scored 27 points and had 10 rebounds a as Charlotte defeated Duquesne 77-71 in an Atlantic 10 Conference game Wednesday.

The victory gives the 49ers (18-10, 11-4 Atlantic 10) one of four first-round byes in next week's conference tournament.

Charlote broke open a close game in the second half, running out to an 18-point lead over the Dukes (3-23, 1-14) at 63-45 with 11:40 remaining in the game.

Ten straight points by the Dukes cut the 49ers lead to eight and Duquesne trailed by five, 65-60 with 4:58 to play.

Charlotte went cold from the field late in the game. But Withers, whose free-throw percentage is just 54.9 percent, made six of his final eight free throws to help Charlotte hold for the victory.

In the first half, Charlotte shot 55.3 percent from the field and made six of 15 3-pointers. Duquesne made 16 of 32 shots for 50 percent.

The Dukes led by as much as eight before a 29-17 run gave Charlotte a 42-38 lead at halftime.