An overconfident Utah team overlooked Charlotte today, and ended up paying for it with a 78-76 loss. The mentality could be excused, as Charlotte came in as huge favorites and the game should have been a walk in the park. But some comments along those lines by Utah players got Charlotte fired up and ready to play. Said Utah star Perkins coming in, "We're not worried about this one. It's tough to take a team like Charlotte seriously, but it'll be a good tune-up and chance to try out our fifth-stringers."

"I don't blame them for being confident," said Charlotte coach Bob. "I'd have probably the same way coming in, if I were in his shoes, but you've got to be a little wiser in what you say in front of the press. Our team really took it personally, especially Leonard who was singled out as the 'leader of the losers', and we were ready to let them have it when the game started."

Charlotte was led by Leonard (32 points, 0 assists), Atkins (10 points, 13 boards, 2 assists, a block), Neal (6 points, 2 steals). Utah was led by Perkins (17 points, 9 blocks), Robinson (27 points, 3 assists), Sparenberg (5 points, 5 boards, 6 assists, 2 steals).

Charlotte stand at 25-33 and 17-13 at home with today's victory. They stay at #2 in the Southeast and hold at #8 overall in the Eastern Conference. With today's defeat, Utah fall to 45-14. They hold at #1 in the Northwest and stay at #3 overall in the Western Conference.

box score Charlotte roster Utah* roster