Charlotte rallies past Tulane in AAC Tournament, ending skid with decisive second-half surge in Birmingham

Charlotte advances with 56-point second half

Charlotte’s men’s basketball team halted a three-game losing streak Thursday night, using a dominant second half to defeat Tulane 74-60 in the American Athletic Conference Tournament’s second round at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

The 49ers trailed 20-18 at halftime before outscoring the Green Wave 56-40 after the break. Charlotte finished the night shooting 39% from the field (22-of-56) and 38% from three-point range (12-of-32), while Tulane shot 31% overall (17-of-55) and 21% from beyond the arc (7-of-33).

Bradford’s scoring and Bonke’s rebounding set the margin

Guard Ben Bradford led Charlotte with 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting and a perfect 6-of-6 at the free-throw line. The 49ers also received a major interior contribution from Anton Bonke, who collected 16 rebounds, helping Charlotte build a 44-27 edge on the glass that limited Tulane’s second-chance opportunities and supported the second-half separation.

Dezayne Mingo added a playmaking dimension for Charlotte, credited with 11 assists. The distribution helped the 49ers convert perimeter looks during a stretch that flipped the game’s direction after the intermission.

Tulane’s early lead fades amid cold shooting

Tulane was paced by guard Rowan Brumbaugh, who scored 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting while going 6-of-6 at the line. Asher Woods contributed 14 points, drawing fouls and making 9-of-9 free throws.

Still, the Green Wave struggled to sustain offense when Charlotte tightened defensively and pushed the tempo. Tulane’s three-point shooting never recovered, and the team’s ability to trade baskets diminished as Charlotte’s run-building possessions stacked up in the second half.

Key statistical takeaways

• Second-half swing: Charlotte +16 (56-40) after halftime.
• Rebounding: Charlotte 44, Tulane 27.
• Three-point gap: Charlotte 12-of-32 (38%); Tulane 7-of-33 (21%).
• Free throws: Tulane 19-of-19; Charlotte 18-of-19.

Final: Charlotte 74, Tulane 60 — a game defined by a dramatic change in shot-making and control of the boards after halftime.

The result moves Charlotte forward in the conference tournament bracket, while Tulane’s season ends with a second-half deficit it could not close, despite perfect team free-throw shooting and a 25-point performance from Brumbaugh.