CHARLOTTE — This was the type of situation Lu’Cye Patterson has dreamed about: Game on the line. Against a ranked opponent. Ball in his hands.
Patterson drew a foul on a jumper with 1.7 seconds left and made both free throws as Charlotte defeated No. 17 Florida Atlantic 70-68 on Saturday for its first home win against an AP Top 25 opponent in 14 years.
“He gets that fire in his eyes, that real competitive look like, ‘I ain’t losing this … thing,” said Charlotte coach Aaron Fearne. “Not everyone is built like that, and that’s OK. Some guys want the ball and some guys don’t. Lu’Cye definitely wants it in his hands.”
Patterson said he learned that playing for his father and being put in that type of situation time and time again growing up as a point guard.
“You have to have some ball in you and I feel like I do,” Patterson said.
Patterson scored 16 points and Igor Milicic Jr. added 13 points — including a towering one-handed dunk in the final two minutes — for the 49ers, who squandered a 17-point second-half lead before surging ahead late.
After Patterson’s free throws, Florida Atlantic nearly pulled off a miracle as a full-court pass ended up in Nick Boyd’s hands, but his 3-point attempt from the corner barely rimmed out as time expired.
Johnell Davis had 20 points and Boyd had 19 for Florida Atlantic (11-4, 1-1 American Athletic Conference), which has lost two of its last three.
Charlotte (7-7, 1-1) bolted to a 9-0 start and led by 15 at halftime.
FAU missed its first eight shots from the field and didn’t score until nearly six minutes into the game. Charlotte built on the momentum and extended its lead to 41-26 at the break after shooting 55% from the field and outrebounding the Owls 18-12 in the first half.
The momentum of the game changed with 10:20 left when Patterson rolled his ankle and had to briefly leave the game with the 49ers leading by eight.
Boyd followed with a 3, getting the ball to bounce over the front of the rim and in to trim the lead to five. A limping Patterson would return, but the Owls kept attacking and Boyd tied the game with 6:28 left with a driving left-handed, drawing a foul and converting the 3-point play.
Alijah Martin would give the Owls their first lead of the game with four minutes to go on a tip in.
But it didn’t last.
Charlotte battled back to take the lead with 1:18 when Patterson coolly buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 3-point lead. Davis answered with his own clutch 3 with 14.3 left, setting up Patterson’s winning free throws.
Charlotte hosts Tulsa on Wednesday night.
Elon 77, North Carolina A&T 59
ELON — Sam Sherry had 20 points in Elon’s 77-59 win against N.C. A&T on Saturday night.
Sherry added nine rebounds for the Phoenix (8-7, 1-1 Coastal Athletic Association). Rob Higgins added 17 points with five rebounds and eight assists. Nick Dorn finished with 15 points.
Landon Glasper led the Aggies (3-12, 1-1) in scoring, finishing with 21 points. Kyle Duke added eight points for N.C. A&T. Nikolaos Chitikoudis also recorded seven points and three blocks.
High Point 85, Gardner-Webb 76
HIGH POINT — Kezza Giffa’s 30 points led High Point over Gardner-Webb 85-76 on Saturday.
Giffa was 10-of-14 shooting, including 3 for 4 from 3-point range, for the Panthers (13-4, 2-0 Big South Conference). Duke Miles scored 26 points while shooting 10 for 16. Kimani Hamilton had 11 points.
Ademide Badmus finished with 20 points for the Runnin’ Bulldogs (5-11, 0-1). Quest Aldridge added 13 points, five assists and two steals for Gardner-Webb. In addition, Julien Soumaoro had 13 points.
No. 8 UNC 65, No. 16 Clemson 55
CLEMSON, S.C. — UNC coach Hubert Davis spent more time listening than talking down the stretch of his team’s game at Clemson. That’s exactly the way he likes it.
RJ Davis had 14 points while Armando Bacot had 14 points and 16 rebounds to lead the eighth-ranked Tar Heels to a 65-55 victory over No. 16 Clemson on Saturday.
The Tar Heels (11-3) opened 3-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play for the first time since the 2015-16 season. And they accomplished it, their coach believes, by staying connected through the most crucial moments.
In late timeouts, Davis said it was his players discussing defense and strategy instead of the coach dictating what to do. “It’s what I wanted,” the third-year coach said.
Bacot, in his fifth season, said the Tar Heels knew they needed to stay sharp to defeat a team in Clemson (11-3, 1-2) that entered the week as the ACC’s best in the NET rankings.
“We just wanted to stay engaged in the huddle,” he said. “In a road environment like this, we’ve got to be engaged and not having lapses. You let a team like (Clemson) go on a run, it’s tough to come back.”
RJ Davis came in as the ACC’s leading scorer at 21.2 points a game. And while he struggled to find his shot against the Tigers, the senior stepped up in time for the Tar Heels.
He hit a 3-pointer as UNC wiped out Clemson’s four-point lead to move in front 39-38. He added a second to push the margin to 45-41 with 10 minutes to go. The Tigers could get no closer than two points the rest of the way to drop their second straight after their 11-1 start.
Bacot posted his 54th career double-double and helped hold Tigers top scorer PJ Hall to 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
The first half was a defensive struggle between two teams that rank in the bottom half of the ACC in defense.
UNC held the Tigers to 0-of-8 shooting from behind the arc the first 20 minutes and Clemson’s biggest outside threat, Syracuse transfer Joe Girard III, to 1 of 7 overall in the period and 1 of 10 for the game.
Chase Hunter had 17 points to lead the Tigers. Ian Schieffelin added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Tigers made just one of their 18 3-pointers after coming in third in the conference at more than nine long-range shots a game.
“Can’t go 1 for 18 from three and win the game,” Tigers coach Brad Brownell said. “No way to overcome that.”
UNC plays at NC State on Wednesday night.
No. 14 Duke 67, Notre Dame 59
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Mark Mitchell scored 19 of his career-high 23 points in the second half, and No. 14 Duke pulled away from Notre Dame for a 67-59 victory on Saturday.
The 6-foot-9 Mitchell also grabbed 14 rebounds, continuing his midseason surge. The sophomore forward scored 21 points in an 86-66 win against Syracuse on Tuesday night.
Duke (11-3, 2-1 ACC) earned its sixth consecutive victory. Jeremy Roach scored 18 points for the Blue Devils, and Jared McCain finished with 11 points.
Freshman guard Markus Burton led Notre Dame with 18 points. Braeden Shrewsberry made four 3-pointers and finished with 12 points.
The Fighting Irish (6-9, 1-3) led 24-15 with 7:06 left in the first half, but the Blue Devils responded with a 14-3 run for a 29-27 lead at the break.
“I thought we showed amazing toughness, the way we closed the end of the first half,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “That’s huge if you can end a half that way, when you don’t play your best.”
Mitchell then took over, scoring Duke’s first 14 points in the second half. Notre Dame closed to 57-55 on Tae Davis’ layup with about three minutes left, but Kyle Filipowski responded with a layup for Duke and Mitchell scored on a putback.
Mitchell was 8 for 12 from the field and 2 for 2 from 3-point range. He was 1 for 22 from beyond the arc coming into the game.
“The job Mark Mitchell did … let me just tell you how proud I am of him,” Scheyer said. “He’s been working his butt off, consistently. He’s been really decisive and playing more confidently.”
Mitchell was averaging 12 points and shooting 48.5% from the field coming into the day. In his last two games, he is averaging 22 points and shooting 68.2% (15 of 22).
“I think it’s just coming to me,” Mitchell said. “Obviously, my teammates have been helping me.”
Mitchell helped pick up the slack for a shaky performance by the 7-foot Filipowski, who finished with seven points on 2-for-12 shooting.
Duke visits Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Wake Forest 86, Miami 82 (OT)
WINSTON-SALEM — Kevin Miller hit a 3-pointer to give Wake Forest the lead in overtime, then sealed the victory with a pair of free throws as the Demon Deacons held off Miami 86-82 in their Atlantic Coast Conference home opener on Saturday.
Wake Forest (11-3, 3-0) is now 9-0 on its home court and its nine-game win streak is the program’s longest since 2008-09, when the Deacons won 16 straight games. Fresh off a 95-82 victory over No. 16 Clemson, the Hurricanes (11-3, 2-1) saw their four-game win streak end.
With the game tied at 78-78, Andrew Carr missed a jumper for Wake Forest, but Efton Reid III batted the offensive rebound toward the top of the key. Miller stretched high to snare the pass, settled and stroked the deep 3-pointer for the lead with 1:38 left. Norchad Omier hit a pair of free throws to get the Hurricanes within a point, but Hunter Sallis knocked down a 3 with 25 seconds remaining to push the lead to four, 84-80. Omier scored at the basket, but Miller drew a foul and hit both free throws to set the final margin.
Miller hit 10 of 19 from the field, including 3 of 3 from long range, to score a career-high 27 points. Cameron Hildreth, who hit four 3-pointers in the first half to spark the Deacons to a 44-37 lead at the break, finished with 23 points, hitting 5 of 8 from deep and going 8-for-8 shooting from the line. Sallis had 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Read pulled down 11 rebounds and blocked five shots.
Freshman Kyshawn George had 21 points and eight rebounds to lead Miami. Omier had 20 points, 13 rebounds and three steals. Matthew Cleveland had 17 points and Nijel Pack added 15 points and four assists.
Wake Forest plays at Florida State Tuesday.
UNC Greensboro 70, East Tennessee State 54
GREENSBORO — Mikeal Brown-Jones’ 14 points helped UNC Greensboro defeat East Tennessee State 70-54 on Saturday night.
Brown-Jones also contributed eight rebounds for the Spartans (11-4, 2-0 Southern Conference). Jalen Breath scored 10 points and added 11 rebounds. Keyshaun Langley had 10 points.
Jaden Seymour finished with 13 points for the Buccaneers (9-6, 1-1). East Tennessee State also got 11 points and two steals from Ebby Asamoah. Quimari Peterson also had 10 points and three steals.
Western Carolina 70, Wofford 66
CULLOWHEE — Vonterius Woolbright had 18 points in Western Carolina’s 70-66 win against Wofford on Saturday night.
Woolbright also added 14 rebounds and five assists for the Catamounts (13-2, 2-0 Southern Conference). DJ Campbell scored 18 points and added five rebounds. Tre Jackson finished with 13 points. It was the seventh straight victory for the Catamounts.
Corey Tripp led the Terriers (8-7, 1-1) in scoring, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Kyler Filewich added 14 points and 10 rebounds for Wofford. Dillon Bailey also had nine points.
UNC Asheville 84, Presbyterian 80
CLINTON, S.C. — Drew Pember had 29 points and 10 rebounds in UNC Asheville’s 84-80 victory over Presbyterian on Saturday.
Nicholas McMullen scored 20 points while shooting 9 of 11 from the field and added five rebounds for the Bulldogs (10-7, 2-0 Big South Conference). Josh Banks finished with 14 points.
The Blue Hose (9-8, 1-1) were led by Marquis Barnett, who posted 22 points, six assists and three steals. Jamahri Harvey added 11 points for Presbyterian. Jonah Pierce, Samage Teel and Kobe Stewart each added 10 points.
Campbell 80, Hampton 69
HAMPTON, Va. — Anthony Dell’Orso scored 19 points as Campbell beat Hampton 80-69 on Saturday.
Dell’Orso shot 7 of 15 from the field and 5 for 6 from the line for the Fighting Camels (7-8, 1-1 Coastal Athletic Association). Jasin Sinani added 18 points and five rebounds. Laurynas Vaistaras finished with 14 points.
The Pirates (4-11, 0-3) were led in scoring by Tedrick Wilcox Jr., who finished with 18 points and two steals. Kyrese Mullen added 16 points and 15 rebounds for Hampton. Jerry Deng also had 11 points.
North Carolina Central 73, Howard 54
DURHAM — Fred Cleveland Jr.’s 24 points helped North Carolina Central defeat Howard 73-54 on Saturday.
Cleveland also contributed six rebounds and seven assists for the Eagles (9-7, 1-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). Ja’Darius Harris scored 21 points while going 9 of 13 (3 for 4 from 3-point range) and added seven rebounds. Po’Boigh King had 12 points.
Bryce Harris led the Bison (5-11, 0-1), finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Dom Campbell added 18 points and eight rebounds for Howard. In addition, Seth Towns finished with eight points, six rebounds and two steals.
Towson 67, UNC Wilmington 64
TOWSON, Md. — Nendah Tarke scored 15 points and Tyler Tejada hit a 3-pointer with one second remaining to rally Towson to a 67-64 victory over UNC Wilmington on Saturday.
Tarke also had five rebounds for the Tigers (8-7, 1-1 Coastal Athletic Association). Charles Thompson added 13 points and eight rebounds. Dylan Williamson finished with 11 points. Tejada scored nine on 3-for-3 shooting from beyond the arc.
Trazarien White led the Seahawks (9-5, 0-2), finishing with 33 points and seven rebounds. UNC Wilmington also got 13 points from KJ Jenkins. Donovan Newby also had eight points and four assists.
Troy 66, Appalachian State 62
TROY, Ala. — Aamer Muhammad had 19 points in Troy’s 66-62 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday night.
Muhammad also contributed four steals for the Trojans (9-6, 3-0 Sun Belt Conference). Tayton Conerway scored 15 points, shooting 5 of 7 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line. Victor Valdes had 12 points.
CJ Huntley led the way for the Mountaineers (11-4, 2-1) with 13 points. Appalachian State also got 11 points and eight rebounds from Tre’Von Spillers. In addition, Myles Tate had nine points and four assists.
Appalachian State visits Coastal Carolina on Thursday.
Kennesaw State 80, Queens 77
KENNESAW, Ga. — Terrell Burden scored 28 points as Kennesaw State beat Queens 80-77 on Saturday night.
Burden added six assists and three blocks for the Owls (10-5, 1-0 Atlantic Sun Conference). Simeon Cottle added 20 points, and finished with 11.
The Royals (6-10, 0-1) were led in scoring by BJ McLaurin, who had 19 points. Deyton Albury added 13 points and two steals for Queens. AJ McKee also had 11 points and two steals.
Queens plays FGCU at home Wednesday.
