CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Charlotte 49ers, led by a dominant rebounding performance from Asianae Nicholson, pulled away in the final quarter to defeat the Wichita State Shockers 81-72 in an American Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Halton Arena.

In a game defined by second-chance opportunities and defensive pressure, Charlotte improved to 11-13 overall while Wichita State fell to 5-19.

The most critical phase of the contest came in the fourth quarter. After Wichita State’s Jaila Harding hit a 3-pointer to cut Charlotte’s lead to 69-72 with just under three minutes remaining, the 49ers responded with a decisive 9-0 run to seal the victory. The surge was fueled by Charlotte’s control of the glass and Wichita State’s offensive struggles. Princess Anderson connected on a 3-pointer, Nicholson scored inside and Tanajah Hayes converted a steal into a layup, pushing the lead to 78-69 with 43 seconds left and effectively ending the Shockers’ hopes.

Nicholson, a 5-foot-10 sophomore from South Euclid, Ohio, was the game’s most impactful player. She recorded a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 17 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end. Her work on the boards was central to Charlotte’s 12-6 advantage in offensive rebounds and a 40-36 edge in points in the paint. This performance followed a stretch where she had scored a combined 16 points over her previous three games.

Charlotte’s defense also proved pivotal, forcing 10 turnovers and converting them into 15 points. The 49ers tallied nine steals, with Hayes collecting three. Wichita State managed only three assists against Charlotte’s defensive pressure, highlighting a disjointed offensive effort.

Despite the loss, Wichita State’s Harding kept her team within striking distance for much of the afternoon. The 5-8 guard from Wichita, Kansas, scored a game-high 21 points, including five 3-pointers. Teammates Bre’Yon White added 12 points and Abby Cater contributed 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

Charlotte established an early lead, closing the first quarter on a 13-2 run to lead 21-10. The 49ers maintained that advantage throughout, though Wichita State consistently chipped away, closing to within four points on several occasions in the second half. Each time, Charlotte answered, often with a key basket from Anderson, who finished with 19 points, or a put-back from Nicholson.

The 49ers were efficient from the free-throw line, making 16 of 17 attempts. Wichita State shot just 8 of 14 from the stripe. From the field, the Shockers shot a slightly better percentage, 49.1% to Charlotte’s 43.3%, but the 49ers’ 12 extra field goal attempts, generated by offensive rebounds and turnovers, proved decisive.

Zoe Best added 11 points for Charlotte, while Taya Davis led Wichita State with six assists to go with nine points.

An announced crowd of 716 at Halton Arena saw the 49ers win their second straight game following a victory at Tulane on Wednesday. Wichita State has now lost three consecutive contests.

Charlotte next travels to face Memphis on Feb. 14. Wichita State returns home to host Florida Atlantic on Tuesday.