Niner Times: February 11, 2014

Belk Gym renovations

Scheduled renovations for Belk Gym will shut down the facility from May 2014 until August 2015. p. 6

14 things that are worse than being single on Valentine’s Day

Single this year? It’s not that bad!

Here are things that are worse. p. 15

49er baseball steps up to the plate for their first season with Conference USA

p. 19

A PRODUCT OF STUDENT NINER MEDIA • THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE • VOL. 26, ISSUE 18 FEB. 11 - 17, 2014 NINERONLINE.COM

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Volume 26, Number 18 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

COMMUNITY EDITOR

EDEN CREAMER

PATRICK BOGANS

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CHRIS CREWS

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ASSISTANT EDITORS Sara Carson, Matt Chapman, Ariel Clayborn, Amanda Duke, Jon Gregory, Leanna Pough

ADDITIONAL STAFF Angela Alimi, Bryan Archilla, Joseph Casper, Lauren Dockery, Jonathan Golian, Jared Green, Sean Grier, Chester Griffin, Ryan Hess, Ashleigh James, Kristen Kimbrough, Billy Lincourt, Kimberly Lucas, Stewart Shelton, Sydney Wright

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New system makes alerts more accessible for tech savvy Charlotteans SARA CARSON

ASST. NEWS EDITOR A new CharMeck Alerts system launched December 2013, replacing a 15-year-old system. The older system, which was used mainly for the Nuclear Power Plant Warning System, notified citizens through landlines.

The system was developed by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office of the Charlotte Fire Department. It is run through Everbridge, an interactive communication and mass notification company. Similar types of alert systems are popular in cities throughout the U.S. The first step of the system’s process is when messages are relayed from people who deal with emergency management as well as dispatchers from the Charlotte Fire Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to citizens. Other towns within Mecklenburg County are also able to use the system to alert their citizens of important information.

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Alerts that are sent out will contain the main details of an emergency situation, along with where you can go to obtain further information.

Officials determine what is “alert-worthy” based on two factors.

The information has to be either an emergency message that needs to be sent out to warn people of an impending danger, or public information about an issue that may not be an emergency.

Some examples of emergency alerts may be severe weather, flooding, hazardous materials or lost persons.

Road closures, heavy traffic and town hall meetings are all examples of non-emergency alerts.

Surprisingly, the system has had very few problems despite the expectations most users have when trying out a brand new system for the first time.

“Through using the system myself as well as talking to citizens on a daily basis, we have been able to scrutinize the system for any possible improvements that would make it more effective for our community,” said Jennifer Dulin.

Dulin has been an intern with the Charlotte Fire Department's Office of Emergency Management since spring 2011. She not only helped to develop and promote the new system, but she also helped get as many citizens registered into the system as possible.

Today, Dulin helps to answer any questions or concerns that arise about the system.

Regarding a recent notification concerning wintry weather and the treatment of roads, Dulin commented, “As someone who does not regularly have time to check the news for weather conditions, it was wonderful to be reminded of the dangerous road conditions well in advance so I could plan accordingly.”

The alerts are available to anyone who would like to receive them and are free to access. To receive the alerts, visit www.charmeckalerts.org and follow the instructions listed on the page.

“Our audience is anyone who lives, works or commutes through Charlotte on a regular basis,” said Dulin.

Users are able to sign up to receive alerts for up to five different locations and can receive the information by 10 different means of electronic devices.

To register for the CharMeck Alerts system, go to www.charmeckalerts.org.

If you are unable to register with an email address, call 311 to register for the free service.

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

Some examples are alerts by email, phone call with recorded message or text message sent directly to your mobile phone.

Specifically for UNC Charlotte students, the CharMeck Alerts System has created the UNCC Campus Alert System.

These alerts are focused on providing information regarding on campus hazards and events. This branch of the alert system was created in part because of the large number of commuters enrolled at UNC Charlotte. These alerts will help commuters on their daily trek to campus; helping them to avoid costly traffic jams or icy areas.

“The ultimate benefit of receiving these alerts is piece of mind for both students and their loved ones,” said Dulin. “As a student you don’t always have time to watch the news, but through the use of these alerts you can still keep informed of dangerous hazards and stay safe.”

The alerts will supplement the university’s alert system so that students can now have alerts about information happening on and around campus.

“I can personally say that before the CharMeck Alert System was in place, I was missing out on a lot of information about possible hazards. As someone who commutes to campus and to work in downtown Charlotte, these alerts have helped me to make safer decisions about travel and kept me more aware about severe weather. My favorite things about this system is that I am able to receive these hazards through text message and that when I register I can customize the alerts to send me hazards that affect the area that I live in,” said Dulin.

NINERTIMES

Dr. Arthur Jackson comments on SGA’s Probation Act Jackson recommends proposal of a bill by senators to continue action against Student Body President Brady Nails EDEN CREAMER

Dr. Arthur Jackson addressing the Student Senate on Thursday, Jan. 30. Photo by Eden Creamer

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

At the Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 Student Senate meeting, Dr. Arthur Jackson, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, addressed the senate during the messages to the senate portion of the meeting regarding legislation recently passed by the senate hoping to place Student Body President Brady Nails on probation.

“I came to talk to you about the

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Probation Act,” said Jackson. “I spent the week reviewing it with Legal Services and Student Affairs and I’m going to give you some feedback on where you think your choices are in this particular matter.”

In short, Jackson explained to the Senate that because there was no formal laws in the Student Government Association (SGA)

constitution detailing the suspension of the student body president or the executive board, the senate could not pass a resolution to create precedent in the matter.

“A resolution will not be satisfactory. It has to be passed as a bill,” said Jackson.

“It’s hard to make an advisory note to the administration on something that does not appear in the by-laws.”

Jackson went on to say that the impeachment process was still an avenue the senate could take against Nails, but said the chances of getting the required number of signatures from the student body was “very slim.”

He also emphasized the importance of thinking through actions before taking them.

“You also don’t want to make student government dysfunctional,” said Jackson.

“Now you have the opportunity to change policies in student government.”

Jackson explains the Senate’s jobs. They are able to pass through the normal legislative process a bill detailing the extent of probation they wish to place members of the executive branch on.

As of now, the Senate has power over stipends and privileges such as the SGA-issued iPad. “Everything else comes from funds, either from the university or from his position as president of a student government, and also as an official member of the Board of Trustees. He [Nails] has certain privileges as a

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Board of Trustees member, such as parking privileges, that cannot be taken away unless he is impeached,” said Jackson.

“But you do have fiscal responsibilities over stipends.”

The main point Jackson attempted to get across was the difference between a resolution and a bill, and the power each one carried.

“Our legal understanding is that you cannot use a resolution to set precedent about your by-laws and constitution,” said Jackson.

“It doesn’t have censor or suspension of privileges So what you can do is add that in as a precedent you can use in later years.”

Senator Davonte Belle, the senator responsible for writing and sponsoring the Probation Act, says he is unsure where he will go from here or if he will pursue the legislation further as a bill.

“I took everything he [Jackson] said under consideration. I just don’t know what my next step will be, if I take any more action. I have time to think about it,” said Belle.

Belle intends to make a decision before the Student Senate meeting next Thursday, Feb. 13.

The Probation Act was originally brought in front of the student senate at the Thursday, Jan. 23 weekly meeting. The senate unanimously approved the resolution, giving Nails five days to veto the legislation.

Nails vetoed the legislation and at the Jan. 30 weekly meeting, the senate overturned Nails’ veto.

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ares p e r p m y G Belk ul a h r e v o e m for extre

JARED GREEN STAFF WRITER

Belk Gym is planned to undergo extensive renovations to bring its facilities up to date. The building, built in 1970, is the school’s original gym and, since then, has seen a fair share of sporting events, exercise and sportsman-like camaraderie.

The building is also home to the Department of Kinesiology and the Department of Recreational Services.

Construction will not affect activities or classes this semester as renovations are planned to begin May 19, 2014, just after graduation and commencement ceremonies.

The building will be closed during the next academic school year as the construction is planned to take anywhere from 12 to 18 months. The building is reported to reopen in the fall of 2015.

Students can expect to be surprised when the renovation is complete, as Belk Gym will see some much needed structural and cosmetic improvements.

A new lobby, entrance plaza and building facade will resurrect the once state-of-theart facility, bringing it into the modern era. New staircases will be efficient for traffic flow.

“Architecturally, the best building features are the transparent open lobby and vestibule spaces both on the main

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and upper levels,” said Donia Schauble, the project manager for the building’s renovations.

Schauble also mentioned how new lighting and finishes would liven up the visual appearance of the building.

While closed, the floor in Belk Gym’s gymnasium will be resurfaced and new lines will be painted. The gymnasium, as well as the rest of the building, will also have a new HVAC system to regulate the climate of the building.

Unfortunately, the pool will be closed during renovations. This means several activities that take place in the pool area such as Venture’s kayak roll clinics will be displaced until renovations are complete.

A new administrative office suite will be built for the Department of Recreational Services as well as the Department of Kinesiology.

In addition, new classrooms, labs and a new lecture hall will be constructed The building will see a new 8,000 square foot fitness center which will include a free weight room and group fitness rooms.

New programs offered by Recreational Services will include expanded personal trainer and fitness assessment services.

The Department of Recreational Services hopes that the new features of the building will expand and diversify students’ fitness options.

“We hope to offer more types of classes as well as more time slots, to give students more opportunities to find a place for Group Fitness in their busy schedules,” said Hans Kaufmann, associate director for operations for the Department of Recreational Services.

The rescheduling of events that

Belk Gym renovations plan to start May 2014, and finish by fall of 2015 Photo courtesy of C. Design Inc.

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take place in Belk Gym is still a bit of a challenge.

“When you figure out what will happen to the activities and classes that take place in Belk Gym, do let the rest of us know,” added Student Activity Center (SAC) Director Nina Simmons.

The department of Recreational Services, the Kinesiology Department and the SAC have been working with reservations to find a place for all of Belk Gym’s activities.

Some of the Kinesiology Department’s classes will be moved to the group fitness room in the SAC; others will be moved to various buildings around campus.

The SAC will experience more crowding as many of the events that normally take place in Belk Gym will be moved into the SAC. “We are asking students to be patient. The SAC will be more crowded but things will be better when the renovations are complete,” said Kaufmann.

To accommodate the crowding in the SAC, its business hours will be extended. While renovations are taking place, it will open at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday.

To find out more about the construction project, contact Facilities Management Capital Projects at 704-687-0615.

NINERTIMES

Health communication class takes a walk down hunger lane UNC Charlotte health communications professor and her class learn about hunger hands-on SYDNEY WRIGHT INTERN

Dr. Jillian Tullis, professor in the Communications Department, specializing in Health Communication, recently created what she calls the “SNAP Challenge,” inspired after watching the documentary, “Food Inc.” “Food Inc.” discusses corporate farming and the food system in the United States. From watching the film, she learned that the average food stamp recipient in North Carolina receives $4.15 a day or $29.05 a week per person.

“Food is important for our physical and mental well being,” said Tullis. “It’s not just necessary to live but it is also one important part of our social lives that can bring joy and happiness. We assume that poor people don’t need joy through food.”

Tullis then came up with the idea of having her students do an assignment that had them walk (or eat in this case) in the shoes of a low-income family for seven days. She called it the “SNAP

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Challenge.”

“While doing the SNAP Challenge, you eat the same thing and it’s not always nasty,” said Tullis.

The challenge required participants to eat within the allotted dollar amount that the lowincome family would. There were no stipulations on when and where to spend money.

You were also not allowed to use any other food that you had previously other than condiments in your house. Also, you could not eat at any type of receptions such as friends or family get-togethers or going to eat at any event that had free food on campus.

After the week ended, students were required to write a paper that described their experience with buying food, what reactions they received from others and anything they might have learned.

Junior Iman Karnabi is a student in Tullis’ class and participated in the challenge. “Doing the SNAP challenge has definitely helped reinforce

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the issue of existent health disparities in the United States,” said Karnabi.

The food she was forced to buy with such a minuscule amount of money drastically limited her quality in food.

“I could only afford foods that had low nutritional value and noticed a lack of color and variety in my meals as well. This demonstrates how low-income families do not have access to fresh produce or foods that are essential in maintaining health and preventing disease,” explained Karnabi.

The class used social media websites Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to help keep track of their thoughts and experiences with the challenge. The hash tag they used was #SNAPChallenge.

Tullis’ main goal was to help bring awareness to those families and individuals who live off very low income, and provide a new profound respect for our day-to-day privileges.

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POLICE BLOTTER FEB. 2 - 6

ASSAULT FEB. 2

• Poplar Terrace Drive, officers responded to a call regarding a sexual assault.

FEB. 6

KRISTEN KIMBROUGH INTERN

The following is an update from the Thursday, Feb. 6 meeting of the Student Government Assocation’s (SGA) Student Senate.

Probation Act Dr. Arthur Jackson, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, took the podium. To review and give feedback on the recent Probation Act. He told the senate that the Probation Act must be introduced as a bill.

There is an impeachment process which requires a petition signed by 10 percent of the student body. Jackson said the act cannot be done as is according to by-laws, but a majority vote can change the by-laws of the constitution. He said it would be easier to change the by-laws than to go through the impeachment process.

Presidential Eligibility Act The Presidential Eligibility Act was presented by Omar Ramirez. According to the act, which amends the requirements to be student body president and vice president, neither may serve as president or vice president of another organization consisting of 30 or more members or as a student teacher or teacher’s assistant. Candidates must meet a minimum GPA requirement

FOLLOW FOR FORECASTS AND WARNINGS

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New Student Organization A representative from Bridges International took the floor. She said the goal of her organization is to support international students and their successful transition to the U.S. The group aims to provide resources for

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of at least 2.65, have at least one year of completed full-time enrollment at university and have served as member of senate for at least one full semester prior to election. The former GPA requirement was 2.8.

Senator Brian Clark asked why they would consider lowering the GPA requirement.

Ramirez said the goal was to fill more seats and broaden the pool of candidates.

Senator Tim Wallis said he thought that it was a good idea because GPA does not tell you all of the things you need to know about a candidate. He said just because some people have a lower GPA does not make them bad leaders. Paying less attention to GPA encourages you to look more at an individual.

“You’re looking at the person rather than a number,” said Wallis.

This was the first read of the Presidential Eligibility Act. It will be voted on for approval at next week’s senate meeting.

Snow beginning late and through the night. Low of 31.

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Large accumulations possible. Low of 28.

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Freezing rain early. Low of 28.

them to grow in academics, spiritual life and as part of the community.

Bridges International was approved unanimously.

Christpher Curulla Confirmation Act Christopher Curulla was confirmed as Secretary of State and National Affairs. Curulla was appointed by Brady Nails, student body president, and is the current treasurer of Kappa Alpha.

The Confirmation Act was approved unanimously.

Bowling Alley Act Senator Andre Jefferies presented the Bowling Alley Act. A new recreational facility is slated to be built at UNC Charlotte and the Bowling Alley Act suggests that a bowling alley should be included in the new facility. Jefferies said students have a desire for more recreational activities. A bowling alley would increase on-campus employment. The proposed bowling alley would have six or more lanes. Students would be charged a fee for use of lanes.

This was the first read of the Bowling Alley Act. It will be voted on for approval at next week’s senate meeting.

FRIDAY FEB. 14

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SATURDAY FEB. 15

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• Poplar Terrace Drive, subject met with an officer in the lobby of the UNC Charlotte Police Department to inquire about a protection order.

CALLS FOR SERVICE FEB. 5

• Cameron Blvd., officer performed a welfare check.

HIT AND RUN FEB. 6

• Union Deck, victim’s vehicle was damaged while parked and unattended.

• Lot 16, victim’s vehicle was damaged while parked and unattended.

LARCENY FEB. 4

• Craver Road, an unknown subject removed property that was left unattended and unsecured.

TRESPASSING FEB. 5

• Darryl McCall Circle, previously trespassed suspect was found on campus.

VANDALISM FEB. 5

• Cameron Blvd., officer responded to a call in reference to a roommate’s guest who wrote an offensive word on the victim’s door.

• Mary Alexander Road, an unknown subject spray painted graffiti on exterior wall of building.

For more information on Mecklenburg County arrests, visit arrestinquiryweb.co.mecklenburg.nc.us

NINERTIMES

E-TEXTBOOKS TRENDING UNC Charlotte is slowly copying hard-cover books to online books, otherwise known as e-textbooks.

The switch seems to be a definite pro for students.

ANGELA ALIMI INTERN

At the beginning of each semester, college students must buy their textbooks, which as many may know, can dig deeply into their already tight budgets.

To help students find a way to make the process cheaper, UNC Charlotte is taking a new initiative.

The university is one of the first universities working toward making college textbooks electronic.

These e-textbooks could be the future for all college students across the country.

"Title lists that the faculty produce and send to the bookstores are now being sent to the library,"

said Stanley Wilder, UNC Charlotte's university librarian.

Wilder hopes that he can create more e-books available for students.

There are currently 53 books and 88 class sections that are available through the university’s e-textbook system, and the number is going to keep rising.

The e-textbooks are controlled through the UNC Charlotte network which makes it available for all of the students to use.

The J. Murrey Atkins Library purchased a package of digital texts last year through Project Muse, a long-standing non-profit association that has agreements with more than 100 top university presses in the country.

In doing this, students that attend the university will be spending less money on textbooks than before and can have their textbooks ready for class by the beginning of the semester instead of having to wait.

Some students tend to wait until the second week of classes to get their textbooks because of the amount of money that they have to spend on them.

Others rent their books or try to find an older edition because they find it cheaper.

For more information, contact Stanley Wilder at swilder2@uncc. edu.

These books are some of the most popular (and thickest) ones you will find at the university bookstore. FILE PHOTO

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FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

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The campaign for education equality for undocumented students has attracted both state and federal attention, with organizations like “One State, One Rate” helping to bring awareness to college campuses SEAN GRIER INTERN

Storm clouds are covering the future of North Carolina and the country – clouds in the guise of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and failed passage of the Dream Act in 2010.

These storm clouds are raging hard against societal standards, implementing laws and policies without thoughtful consideration.

But a new wind is blowing in to calm the storm. This wind represents the children of the century, the future of this country and the next civil rights victors.

They are known as dreamers to us, but on paper they are depicted as aliens, illegals, undocumented, Deferred Action, non-residents, etc.

It is quite unfortunate the path

our state has taken towards equal opportunity to education.

North Carolina’s laws are set up to allow undocumented students to attend grades K-12 at no cost, but after graduation, things change.

In 2001, North Carolina started allowing undocumented students into the North Carolina Community College System, so long as they met one of three requirements and paid out-of-state tuition.

At the time this seemed like a step in the right direction, but North Carolina stopped there.

The state sanctioned research for the purpose of expansion but, after advice from the state’s attorney general and guidance from the Department of Homeland Security, decided that full expansion was not in North Carolina’s future.

Instead, North Carolina would

EDITORIAL POLICY Niner Times is written and produced by students at UNC Charlotte. All unsigned editorials are the expressed opinion of the editorial board and do not represent the views of the University. Views expressed in signed editorials are solely those of the author. Niner Times is published on Tuesdays during the regular academic year except during holidays and exam periods.

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Omar Ramirez shows his support of education equality. Photo courtesy of Omar Ramirez

allow undocumented students into the University of North Carolina System, but they could not receive any grants or loans and would also pay out-of-state tuition.

At UNC Charlotte, that tuition rate is $9,318, compared to $3,053.50 for in-state students.

As if this was not hard enough for people who are truly trying to better themselves, federal law prevents these students from obtain-

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ing professional licenses.

This system of education is absurd and exists only to disenfranchise and destroy the hope they have for a better future; it does absolutely nothing positive for the state.

Hopefully the time has come for the manifestation of a dream deferred: the dream for equal opportunity to education, in-state tuition and a path to citizenship.

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NINER TIMES Student Union, Charlotte, N.C. 28223 OR E-MAIL:

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Admittedly, citizenship will be hard to tackle on the state level, but as Democrat Marcus Brandon has made clear, in-state tuition is a no brainer.

He has sponsored House Resolution 904 in the hopes that it will pass the General Assembly and allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition.

This issue is being tackled from many different angles. Omar Ramirez, a student at UNC Charlotte and senator of the College of Health and Human Services, is working with the campaign “One State, One Rate” to bring the issue to campus; they want to show undocumented students are fellow Niners, just as intelligent and bright, who want to be equally recognized under the law.

This grassroots movement isn’t without its misfires.

Critics have already attacked ally to the cause Democrat Attorney General Roy Cooper, who was flanked by a letter campaign accus-

ing him of, “Holding our diplomas hostage.”

Quite simply, the surge of opposition is misdirected. A better target would be the state governor and legislature, as the only thing preventing these undocumented students from paying in-state tuition is the residency and eligibility requirements set by the legislature and signed by the governor.

The attorney general’s job is to uphold and enforce the Constitution and the state laws.

This is not a matter of whether the attorney general agrees with the movement but whether he can legally act, which he cannot.

“You have also inquired about the status for in-state tuition of students who have been granted Deferred Action Status under [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] DACA … However, as to your question regarding eligibility for in-state tuition for such students, the issue here is whether an individual granted DACA status

qualifies as a ‘resident for tuition purposes,’” said the attorney general in response to Marcus Brandon’s letter requesting a legal opinion on DACA. “Under federal law, 8 U.S.C. § 1621, individuals with DACA status are not eligible to receive the benefit of in-state tuition unless a specific state statute provides otherwise … You and other legislators have sponsored HB 904, which would make these changes by giving certain immigrant students instate tuition status. However, this legislation has not been enacted.”

In short, the campaign for equal education is garnering national attention. Federal efforts by US Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., and U.S. Representative Jared Polis, D-Colo., through the Investing In States To Achieve Tuition Equity (IN-STATE) legislation, which would grant in-state tuition for all undocumented students in the U.S., as long as they meet certain qualifications.

Senator Murray believes, “Undocumented students are no different than their classmates. They live in the same towns, attend the same schools, and share the same dreams – and they deserve an equal chance to go to college and start successful careers in this country.”

It is rather unfortunate that this is even an issue in 2014, but we are faced with a changing reality.

We must fight misinformation, discrimination and this broken political and immigration system.

At some point, people will realize people create the systems that hurt other people. We must stop the one-sided approaches of fixing the system and fix the politicians as well.

“One State, One Rate” will happen – if not this year, then next year – but how long can our fellow Niners pay out-of-state tuition before the dream turns into default?

Junior Gillian Garcia and sophomore Yerson Padilla display signs to tell why they support the “One State, One Rate” campaign. Photos courtesy of Omar Ramirez

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VALENTINE’S DAY MOVIE GUIDE A&E STAFF NINER TIMES

FOR THOSE WHO FORGOT IT’S VALENTINE’S DAY

FOR A GIRLS’ NIGHT IN “THE HEAT”

For the ladies staying in for Valentine’s Day, this movie is perfect for you. Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock are the perfect dynamic duo as they fire shots and attempt to tackle the criminals of Boston.

The mishap adventures these two endure will leave you in tears of laughter and begging for more.

“CLUELESS”

If you are looking for a lighthearted movie to watch this Valentine’s Day, grab some popcorn and tune in to “Clueless.” Follow popular high school girl, Cher, as she tries to pass her driving test, play matchmaker and give the new girl a makeover.

The life of this Beverly Hills rich girl will keep you laughing at the absurdity while also having you reminisce about what it was like to be 16. This ‘90s chick flick is a perfect movie for both a night alone and a night with the girls.

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

“MY BLOODY VALENTINE”

Alright, I know, I know. Bear with me. Not a romantic movie but not all of us want the classic, “I wanna kiss you till my lips are dry” movie for Valentine’s Day. Some of us would rather sit in our own inevitable cynicism as the holiday approaches and watch the adorable couples get torn apart by a crazed miner.

Not because we’re insane, but because going out on a Valentine’s Day by yourself is like taking a tour of a whiskey distellery when you’re a recovering alcoholic. Stay with the crazed miner, it’s safer.

“HELLRAISER”

Nothing says love, or lack thereof, than sleeping with your brother’s wife while wearing his dead skin. That’s where things end up in a cute little story called “Hellraiser,” the tale of a puzzle box, warped beings from another universe, and the search for carnal pleasure.

When Kristy discovers her own stepmother bringing strange men home, she gets more than she bargained for in this timeless classic.

FOR THE GUY WHO WANTS TO GET THE GIRL “SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD”

Thinking about pursuing that little cutie sitting on the other side of class? Think again. Being in a relationship can hurt - physically. We’ve all got baggage, and when we find our significant other, sometimes that baggage is out for blood.

“Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” is a cautionary tale to any single people seeking love. When Scott Pilgrim meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers, he unknowingly enters a battle royale to defeat her Seven Evil Exes. After watching Scott duke it out in fight after fight, you might think twice about falling in love.

“THE BROTHERS SOLOMON”

Compiled by Bryan Archilla, Joseph Casper, Lauren Dockery, Jonathan Golian, Kimberly Lucas and Stewart Shelton.

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For some people, Valentine’s Day can be a holiday of sentiment, love, good memories and friendship. Then there are the others, who try really hard to make things work and things just get awkward fast.

Whatever the case, a person would be hard-pressed to be as awkward as these two guys on their quest for their significant other, and the desire to extend their family. “The Brothers Solomon” is a hilarious movie on how awkward love can be, but how meaningful it is at the same time.

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

NINERTIMES

PLAYLISTS TO SET THE MOOD ... OR DESTROY IT CHESTER GRIFFIN STAFF WRITER

Are you a lover looking for a comforting song to set the mood to? Perhaps you’re simply a disgruntled student in need of a good mood killer to keep your roommate’s sex life out of the apartment?

Either way this list shall serve as a guide for all of your Valentine’s Day music needs.

THE PLAYLIST TO “SEAL THE DEAL” “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye It’s not only the most requested song on this list, but it’s the quintessential love song for the ages. “I’m fully convinced there was a spike in the birth rate back in 1973 when it first hit the shelves,” says Andy Dittrich, a History major at UNC Charlotte.

“It’s like the ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ for libido in the name of all things unrelentingly horny.”

“Baby I’m Yours” by the Arctic Monkeys “The tone of the song is really what sets the mood,” says Julia Pecheny, a Software Information Systems major at UNC Charlotte. “It has a good rhythm, but it’s also very slow and chill, making it a very affectionate song.”

“I Cross My Heart” by George Strait “It’s a song about a singer promising to always love and support the person they are in love with,” says Kaylee Miller, an International Studies major at UNC Charlotte.

“Strait has a gift for making you connect with what he’s singing.”

“Digital Love” by Daft Punk According to Michael Auger, a History major at UNC Charlotte, “‘Digital Love’ is the perfect song for Valentine’s Day ... The song has a strong beat that makes you want to get up and dance; also the lyrics are sensual and romantic, despite being written by two robots.”

MCT Campus

THE PLAYLIST TO SEND HER RUNNING “P***y” by Rammstein Don’t let this title mislead you into thinking it’s a song about cats and other feline creatures.

“The song destroys any sentiment that a couple could have towards a possible night of love and passion,” according to an anonymous UNC Charlotte student. “It’s a very inappropriate song about screwing for the sake of screwing.”

“Push it” by Salt-N-Pepa “The song basically represents dancing and the interaction between two people on a dance floor which doesn’t translate to good baby-making music,” says AJ Lopez, a Criminal Justice Major at UNC Charlotte. “It’s kind of a mood killer because it makes you laugh and it’s hard to have sex while laughing.”

“Kim” by Eminem “Eminem raps about frantically abducting and murdering his estranged wife,” says a UNC Charlotte student with the alias, D.P. Loveshaft. “This is the last song you want to play during a romantic encounter.”

NINERONLINE.COM

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police While this song may actually be intended for setting the mood, one UNC Charlotte student had something else to say. According to Brandon Scriver, a Computer Science Major at UNC Charlotte, “The entire song is about a man stalking a girl that he’s infatuated with ... Every time I hear that song on the radio, it creeps me out.

“A Little Piece of Heaven” by Avenged Sevenfold It starts off as a simple story about a proposal and immediate rejection, but soon transitions to a song about murder and necrophilia. It’s sure to put off any couple in the bedroom. “It’s like ‘Romeo and Juliet’ on acid,” says Ashley Helms, English major.

What’s on your V-Day playlist? Tweet us

@niner_times

with #VDayTunes to tell us your Hallmark holiday jams!

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ACROSS 1 Financial “soaking” 5 Open wound 9 Dots on maps 14 Queens stadium named for a tennis legend 15 Eastern honorific 16 Outmaneuver 17 Munich mister 18 Track section 19 In a gallant manner 20 They swim with the fish 23 Gore and Smith 24 Wrestling venue 25 Scottish pirate 27 Checkpoint Charlie city 30 O’Brien of CNN 33 __ Dhabi 34 Chain store selling gates and crates 37 Twilled suit fabric

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FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

38 Gently tosses 40 Nocturnal scurrier 42 Big intro?

43 African antelope 45 Company targeting 40-Acrosses 47 Transgression 48 Man Ray or Arp 50 Some 36-Down deals 52 Fruit that’s not cute 53 With regard to 55 Priest’s garment 57 Vince Gilligan TV drama, and a hint to something happening in 20-Across and 11- and 29-Down 62 Freeload 64 Billy goat’s bluff 65 Meditative practice 66 Less likely to betray 67 Where sheep sleep 68 Creditor’s claim 69 Wooden shoe

70 Power dept.

71 Movie lioness DOWN 1 Grumpy cries 2 “Got __?”: “Can we talk?”

3 Informal street sign word 4 Like some folk remedies 5 One with growing concerns?

6 “Here we go __!”

7 Hindu deity 8 Of sound body 9 Oft-removed throat tissues 10 Artist Yoko 11 Bookmarked link, say 12 __ and void 13 1974 CIA spoof 21 “What __!”: “I’ve been had!”

22 MGM rival 26 Judge 27 Bundled, as cotton 28 African virus 29 Start of a rhyme featuring a butcher and baker 30 Foot warmer 31 Texas A&M athlete 32 Campus heads 35 Tugboat blast 36 Hybrid, perhaps 39 Setback 41 Designer Tommy 44 Toon with an upturned tie 46 Gas in glass tubing 49 “To __, With Love” 51 30-Down pattern 53 Slugger known as Hammerin’ Hank 54 Use a rink 55 “Hamlet” fivesome 56 Doctor Zhivago’s love 58 Caesar’s “Behold!”

59 Recipe instruction 60 Years and years 61 Funny Carvey 63 Former automaker with a globe in its logo

NINERTIMES

AMANDA DUKE

ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Forgetting you have food in the oven until you smell it burning

Accidentally closing a tab that was loading

Being the person responsible for the fifth Olympic ring not opening in front of the whole world

Spilling coffee on a white shirt (or any shirt for that matter)

Losing your wallet or purse the one time you actually have money to spend

MCT Campus

Accidentally liking a picture or status from months ago when social media stalking someone

Getting a bad haircut

Group projects with awful group members who don’t do any work

Wanting to buy liquor but it is Sunday or after 9 p.m.

Getting a hole or tear in the butt of your favorite pair of jeans

Having to do your own taxes Missing a step when walking up or down the stairs Getting a flat tire in the rain with a dead phone

MCT Campus

Your phone dying and not being able to charge it for hours

MCT Campus

NINERONLINE.COM

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

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HOMESICK? YOU AREN’T THE ONLY ONE Homesickness in college students is more common than you might think. Students deal with this every day. If you feel this way, here are a few ways you can deal with your homesickness.

AMANDA DUKE

ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR When going off to college, no one thinks that they will get the slightest bit homesick; but then you go home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

When you come back to start the new spring semester, you may realize how much you do enjoy being home with family and friends.

Many students come from all over the country to come to school here at UNC Charlotte.

Because some students are coming from far away, they may not be able to go home as often as their parents and themselves would like. Being home for the holidays and breaks really does mean a lot to them and their loved ones back home.

Not being able to go home to visit often can make the student homesick.

Homesickness is when you are feeling depressed or lonely and just want to be at home with family instead of being miles away here at school in Charlotte.

Becoming homesick can happen because you do not have the same type of support system you did when you were living at home.

When leaving home to come back to college, you may lose the comfort of living at home with your parents and siblings, eating home cooked meals and just being lazy.

Being used to the same schedule at home and then changing the patterns of your daily life when you come back to start a new school semester can be difficult.

Living in a new place and making new friends may make you feel like you do not belong or fit in.

Homesickness can hit you at any time in your life, but most people experience it during their college

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years.

Some people become homesick during freshman year but many become homesick over time. It may not hit you the first few semesters, but usually the longer you are here at college, the more you miss home, though sometimes it does not effect everyone.

Being homesick is OK and many college students are going through and feeling the same way that you do.

You may not realize that other students are feeling homesick because not many people seem to talk about it. Some students are embarrassed to admit that they would rather be at home for a little while than away at college.

Being homesick is not necessarily you not wanting to be at college. More often than not, you become homesick because you miss seeing your family, friends and

every day.

Sophomore Andrew LaPoint says that though he lives in Raleigh, not extremely far from school, he has experienced homesickness in the past and had to deal with it as a freshman last fall when he first came to college.

Though he is over his homesickness now and loves being here in Charlotte at school, it was an issue that he had to learn to deal with.

“When I first came to Charlotte last fall, I was excited to be living away from home and to start school in a new city,” said LaPoint.

He continues by saying, “After being home for

Christmas, coming back to school was hard and I missed my family and friends from home.”

When LaPoint gets homesick, it is very easy to just jump on a train or get in the car and just go home for the day or weekend, or even have his parents come down to visit for the day.

Some students, like junior Miah Sheridan cannot just pack a bag and go home for a nice weekend with her family and friends.

Sheridan is from New Hampshire, so going home tends to be difficult and involves a 16-hour car ride or an expensive plane ticket that she has to book weeks, sometimes months, in advance if she wants to go home for a holiday or school break.

She copes with being away from home by calling home and Skyping with her parents and siblings a few times a week.

Sheridan says that she “loves

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Courtesy of @am

pets FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

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NINERTIMES

being down here in North Carolina, but sometimes I wish that I can go hang out with my sister and brothers.�

There are many students at UNC Charlotte that deal with these same issues that LaPoint and Sheridan faced.

Many college students experience homesickness and it can last from about a day to weeks. It is different in everyone.

If you are feeling homesick, know that you are not alone. There are plenty of students feeling what you are feeling and you should talk about it.

You can go to the counseling center on campus and talk to someone there or even just talk to your friends.

Remember to give yourself time to deal with your homesickness and not jump to conclusions, such as thinking you should just drop out

NINERONLINE.COM

WAYS TO COPE WITH HOMESICKNESS 1. Call home every now and then.

Talking to your parents and friends from home sometimes may help you feel more connected with home than you did before. Checking up on how people are doing is always a good idea and mom would probably like to hear from you, too.

While calling home will help, make sure you do not do it too often. That might make you even more homesick.

stagram efreekyx on In

Courtesy of @liv

of school and move back home.

Have patience, let yourself adjust and take the time to make new friends and enjoy being at college.

2. Talk to friends about it. Chances are, some of your friends are feeling homesick too and probably think they are the only ones. Even if your friends are not feeling like you do, talking about it will help you gain a support system like you had at home.

3. Join a club or an organization on campus to take up some of your time. If you are homesick, chances are you are spending more than

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

enough time in your dorm room.

Joining a club will get you out of your dorm and you will become preoccupied and may not think about wanting to be home as much.

4. Try talking to new people, whether it is people who live on your floor or the people you sit next to in class. Making new friends is a great way to keep your mind off being at home. You will be so caught up in wanting to get to know others that being home won’t be a priority anymore.

5. Bring some of your favorite things from your bedroom at home to college such as a childhood teddy bear. Whenever you are missing home, your teddy bear can make you feel like you are home.

Also bring some pictures of your family and friends from home.

Seeing familiar faces can always brighten your day.

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RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK

ASHLEIGH JAMES

RYAN HESS

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER One of my favorite Kingsfoil songs, “Brave Love,” has a line that goes: “Maybe someday I will get it right, let honesty and kindness be the prize.”

That line has stuck with me since the song released a couple months ago.

It’s leading me to think about how warped our priorities are, perverted by expectations, self-destructive through comparisons, struggling with the ever-climbing ambition, our parents or even employers.

We’re living on this transactional basis in the “real world” while interacting through screens.

Further, we’re getting to that point in the semester where breezy syllabus week is long gone. Quizzes and exams are finally giving us an idea of how much this semester will take.

We’re pouring ourselves into as much as we can, if we’re not already feeling like the bottom of the barrel.

It’s starting to become fire-hosing what’s urgent instead of making the time for what’s important. This is how we crash.

All this leads me back to a simple question: How do we fill ourselves up?

How do we stay sane?

This week is a grand opportunity. Feb. 10 through 16 is International Random Act of Kindness Week. For one week, can you refrain from complaint and render a tender perspective?

It’s incredibly difficult to shift away from our default setting of, “The world revolves around me.”

If you haven’t watched David Foster Wallace’s “This is Water,” drop this article and go. We’ll wait.

Now, that understanding—knowing the purpose of your education is to get you out of default mode and make active choices—is where you begin.

It’s not going to be easy, though. George Saunders, in a commencement speech at Syracuse, said, “Because kindness, it turns out, is hard – it starts out all rainbows and puppy dogs, and expands to include … well, everything ...

Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now. There’s a confusion in each of us, a sickness, really: selfishness. But there’s also a cure. So be a good and proactive and even somewhat desperate patient on your own behalf – seek out the most efficacious anti-selfishness medicines, energetically, for the rest of your life.”

What attempt will you make this week to be kind, to fill yourself up with love by caring for others?

Feel free to inspire others with #dokindness and #RAKweek on twitter.

Smile at a stranger. Eat lunch with someone new or someone you haven’t caught up with in a while. Say “I love you.”

Give more hugs and less glares. Look past a mistake.

Or even better, spend time with someone and keep your devices tucked away and off.

Undivided attention is becoming the rarest of gifts, so start giving. See how you feel after you connect to those around you instead of checking the next box off that In the spirit of Random Acts of Kindness mammoth to-do list.

Week, bake someone something “Let honesty and kindness be delicious like a muffin. MCT Campus the prize.”

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Fashion alert: Valentine’s Day style guide Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so it’s time to start making plans and find the perfect outfit to celebrate the upcoming holiday.

Whether you are spending Valentine’s Day with your significant other, your best friend or maybe dedicating the day to spend time alone and treat yourself to dinner and a movie, it is important to find an outfit that not only fits the occasion but “wows” everyone in the room.

Here are a few tips to finding the perfect outfit on this Hallmark holiday.

Do throw away your red plastic earrings and your frilly heart ensemble. Find an outfit that makes you look sexy, yet sophisticated, this Valentine’s Day. You do not have to go to the mall and spend hundreds of dollars on a whole new outfit. Ladies, this is the time to pull out your favorite shoes and dresses that make you feel confident and will surely have heads turning.

Do mix and match pink, red and white in your ensemble. Everyone knows these are the quintessential colors for Valentine’s Day. Depending on where you decide to spend your V-day, do wear something comfortable.

Going out on the town with the girls?

If you are anti-relationship or you and your boyfriend just broke up yesterday, take the time to spend the night with just the girls. A printed mini-dress with a cropped sweater or jacket would be perfect for a night out on the town.

Don’t forget to spice up your outfit with fun accessories, such as a sparkly clutch or headband.

Going out for lunch?

Throw on a trendy sweater with a pair of your favorite lightwashed or black skinny jeans.

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

You can dress this outfit up or down with a pair of pumps, wedges or flats. Add a touch of glam by accessorizing with gold jewelry or a scarf.

Going on a dinner date?

This holiday is known as the most romantic day of the year, so finding an outfit for a date, especially if it’s the first date, may become stressful. Just remember, don’t overdo it.

You don’t want your date pondering on the idea of whether or not he’s going to get “lucky” after dinner.

A deep shade red cocktail dress or a flowy black dress is perfect for a dinner date. You can either keep the rest of your outfit simple or accessorize with colors that will make the dress pop. Make it a point to look stunning.

Going to a party?

You know there are going to be a lot of attractive guys on the guest list so find an outfit that will have all eyes on you.

Stick with fun colors and an outfit that will accentuate your figure. Don’t forget your heeled booties; you will need something comfortable so you can hit the dance floor with a breeze.

Going to work?

Stay away from anything too bold, especially if you work in an office. You can’t go wrong with comfy red flats. If you want attire that is dressier, throw your denims in the back of the closet and pull out your pencil skirt or slacks. Accent or accessorize your outfit with the color red.

Regardless of your relationship status or where you will be spending your day, go all out this holiday by putting together a killer ensemble that will make you stand out.

There are so many looks to choose from this Valentine’s Day.

NINERTIMES

OPENING DAY IS HERE 49er baseball steps up to the plate for their first season with Conference USA

The Charlotte 49ers baseball team celebrating a win over the Siena Saints in March of 2013. Photo by Chris Crews

LIBBY WEIHSMANN SPORTS EDITOR

The Charlotte 49ers baseball team will open their 2014 season back in Conference USA at home inside Robert & Mariam Hayes Stadium, playing four games in just three days.

The 49ers will play Youngstown

NINERONLINE.COM

State Friday, Feb. 14, at 4 p.m.; the ACC’s Virginia Tech on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 12 p.m.; and then play a double header against Youngstown State at 12 p.m.; and Virginia Tech at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16.

In their final season in the

Atlantic 10 Conference, Charlotte was looking to clinch a conference championship in front of a home crowd as the 49ers played host to the A-10 Tournament.

After defeating Rhode Island and Xavier in the first and

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

second rounds of the conference tournament, the 49ers faced the Saint Louis Billikens in what would have crowned Charlotte the conference champions.

Saint Louis had fallen to Xavier in the first round of the tournament,

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meaning the 49ers could knock them out completely with a win or be forced to play the Billikens in a double header to determine the conference champion and recipient of the automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals.

The latter happened and the 49ers finished as runners up in the A-10 Conference Championship, ending their season with a 37-23 record.

The 49ers will enter the competitive C-USA league with five seniors and three redshirt seniors.

Charlotte graduated seven seniors after the 2013 season and lost juniors Justin Seager and Tyler Barnette to the draft.

Despite the significant infield losses to the roster, the 49ers bullpen looks to be solid with the return of key pitchers from the previous season.

“We’re a little bit older pitching wise. We’ve got a lot of older guys that have been around here two, three, even four years,” said Head Coach Loren Hibbs.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that are older pitchers, and to be quite honest, we’re going to need for those guys to compete at a high level to help some of our younger guys and our position players get their feet wet.”

Brock Hudgens, a senior righthanded pitcher, has the third lowest opponent batting average at .223 in program history.

Hudgens made the First-Team All-Atlantic 10 team during the final season in the A-10.

Hudgens also set a team seasonbest streak of 14 innings without allowing a single run.

Senior right-handed pitcher Hunter May tied for second in the A-10 with eight wins and was the only player in the top 10 in the league to record those wins without a start.

In the 2013 season, May did not allow a stolen base.

Preseason All-Conference USA junior Brad Elwood returns as a junior for the 49ers after an impressive 2013 campaign.

After starting in outfield, Elwood played majority of the season at second base.

Elwood was rated the third toughest batter to strikeout in the NCAA at the end of the 2012-13

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regular season and led the team with a .343 batting average.

“Elwood’s played a lot of different spots. He’s played in the infield, he’s played in the outfield and he played second base for us a good bit last year,” said Hibbs.

Brett Lang, a redshirt sophomore, returns to the 49ers with 27 games under his belt as a catcher.

Lang was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team last season and was named A-10 Rookie of the Week once during the 2013 campaign.

Charlotte’s Des Roberts, a Garden City Community College transfer, redshirted during the 2013 campaign and will play in the outfield for the 49ers.

Charlotte also welcomes back redshirt senior Corbin Shive after he redshirted the 2012-13 season along with Roberts.

In the 2012 season, he made 49 starts, 21 of them at first base.

C-USA’s Rice, Florida Atlantic and East Carolina were all listed in the top 35 of the NCAA preseason rankings.

Charlotte will face a league team 30 times throughout the season playing every C-USA member with the exception of Rice and Marshall.

Charlotte will play 35 home games in the 2014 season at the Hayes.

Hibbs returns to the 49ers in his 22nd season with the team.

The all-time winningest coach at Charlotte is just 31 wins away from reaching 700 victories.

“We’re excited to get the season going. Excited to be back in Conference USA. We were one of the charter members in Conference USA and we made a decision to dive back in. It’s not very often in life that you get a chance to do something twice, so it’s pretty cool.

I think this conference is going to open up a lot of opportunities for us,” said Hibbs.

“The league RPI has been no less than fifth in the country for 17 out of the 18 years that the league’s been in existence. It’s a very high level of play, a lot of great players come through here. I think we’re a little bit more equipped to play in Conference USA this time than the first time around.”

Practices leading up to opening weekend are open to the public.

CONFERENCE USA BASKETBALL STANDINGS MEN’S Southern Miss (21-3, 8-1) UTEP (18-6, 8-1) Louisiana Tech (20-5, 8-2) Middle Tennessee (17-7, 7-2) Tulsa (11-12, 6-3) Tulane (13-11, 5-4) Old Dominion (11-13, 5-4) Charlotte (14-9, 5-5) FIU (12-12, 4-5) Florida Atlantic (9-15, 4-5) UAB (14-9, 3-6) UTSA (7-15, 3-6) East Carolina (13-11, 2-7) North Texas (11-12, 2-7) Marshall (8-17, 2-8) Rice (7-16, 2-8)

WOMEN’S Middle Tennessee (19-4, 8-1) East Carolina (20-3, 8-2) UTEP (19-4, 8-2) Tulane (17-6, 8-2) Southern Miss (17-5, 6-3) FIU (11-11, 5-4) Charlotte (10-11, 4-4) UAB (12-10, 4-5) Tulsa (10-10, 4-5) North Texas (10-13, 4-6) Old Dominion (11-13, 4-6) Florida Atlantic (13-9, 3-6) Rice (10-12, 3-6) Louisiana Tech (7-15, 2-7) UTSA (11-11, 2-7) Marshall (8-14, 1-8)

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

NINERTIMES

49ers women’s basketball team falls to Southern Miss Despite a one-week break from play, Charlotte fell 72-52 to the Eagles at home

Ny Hammonds scores on a jumper against Southern Miss. Photo by Ben Coon

MATT CHAPMAN

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR The Charlotte 49ers (10-11, 4-4) looked surprisingly unfocused following a one week break between games as they dropped a 72-52 decision against the Southern Miss Eagles (17-5, 6-3) on Saturday evening inside Halton Arena. The 49ers turned the ball over 22 times during the contest and hit just 21-62 (33.9

NINERONLINE.COM

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

percent) from the field on the night.

“This was a very disappointing performance from our team. We had a bye week this week and we had an entire week to focus on us,” said Charlotte Head Coach Cara Consuegra post game.

“We actually had a really good week of practice and I thought

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we improved in a lot of areas. We came out tonight and unfortunately did not execute anything that we worked on. Our offensive execution tonight was very poor. I didn’t think we shared the ball well, I didn’t think we screened well and we just didn’t have any rhythm.”

The 49ers and Eagles each limped out of the gates early on in the contest.

Charlotte found themselves holding a slight 6-4 advantage at the first media timeout despite turning the ball over four times in the first five minutes of action.

Southern Miss committed two early turnovers of their own and hit just two of their first 10 shots from the floor to open the game.

Charlotte, playing without starting forward Gabby Tyler, struggled with depth in the front court for the majority of the first half after Alexis Alexander picked up two quick fouls.

The Eagles took advantage of the foul trouble and began to pound the ball inside, sparking a quick 9-0 scoring run which put them on top 22-14 with 8:49 left in the opening half.

Southern Miss continued to create

easy looks at the basket throughout the first half as the Eagles scored 28 points in the paint during the opening 20 minutes of the contest compared to just 14 for Charlotte.

The 49ers trailed by as much as 10 in the first half, but a timely triple from Hillary Sigmon and solid production from seldom-used freshman Kenya Olley kept Charlotte within single-digits heading into the locker room down 38-30 at halftime.

Charlotte struggled to find a rhythm offensively thanks in large part to 12 first half turnovers which resulted in 12 points on the other end for Southern Miss.

The 49ers looked much more focused coming out of the locker room, hitting four of their first six shots from the field as they cut the Eagles’ lead to just two points at 44-42 following a Kira Gordon lay-up with 13:29 left to play in the game.

Gordon led the way for Charlotte in the loss, dropping in 12 points on 6-13 (46 percent) shooting to go along with a career-high 13 rebounds.

Charlotte hung tough until about midway through the second half when Southern Miss broke the game

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Friday, Feb. 14

Men’s Tennis

Men’s Tennis

Home vs. Wofford 2:30 p.m.

Away - Winthrop 2:30 p.m.

Softball

Women’s Tennis

Home vs. South Carolina 3 p.m.

Women’s Basketball Away - Louisiana Tech 9 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 16

Softball

Women’s Tennis

Softball

Away - Wofford 2:30 p.m.

Home vs. Seton Hall 4 p.m.

Baseball

Home vs. Seton Hall 4 p.m.

Home vs. Virginia Tech 12 p.m.

Baseball

Men’s Basketball

Indoor T&F

Women’s Basketball

Home vs. Youngstown State 4 p.m.

Away - JDL UCS Invitational TBA

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Saturday, Feb. 15 Home vs. Cleveland State 12 p.m.

Softball

Thursday, Feb. 13

Hillary Sigmon finished the game with nine points. Photo by Ben Coon

Home vs. Marshall 7 p.m.

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

Home vs. FIU 11 a.m.

Softball

Home vs. Drexel 2 p.m.

Baseball

Home vs. Youngstown State 12 p.m.

Baseball

Home vs. Virginia Tech 4 p.m.

Away - Marshall 1 p.m.

NINERTIMES

Freshman Ciara Gregory finished the game with two points. Photo by Ben Coon

wide open with a 14-2 scoring run to capture a 65-50 advantage with 4:19 remaining in the contest.

The 49ers scored just four points in the final nine minutes of play as the Eagles cruised to a 72-52 Conference USA victory.

The 20 point loss on Saturday evening proved to be the second largest margin of defeat for Charlotte this season.

Southern Miss guard Jamierra Faulkner had quite a night on both ends of the court as she scored 14 points while dishing out 13 assists to go along with her six steals on the

NINERONLINE.COM

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

defensive side of the ball.

Coach Consuegra had high praise for Faulkner’s performance following the game.

“It was a struggle on defense tonight. Southern Miss is certainly a very good team and Jamierra Faulkner is the best guard in this league, no doubt about it.”

The Charlotte 49ers will hit the road for their next contest on Thursday, Feb. 13, when they travel to Ruston, La. to take on the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 9 p.m.

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WIKI WIKI CARWASH, 7910 NORTH TRYON STREET - ACROSS FROM WALMART OPEN 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM EVERYDAY

wikiwikicarwash.com

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CHARLOTTE’S FAVORITE CARWASH JUST OPENED ITS NEWEST LOCATION IN UNIVERSITY CITY. We UNCC students and want to give you a FREE carwash - yes FREE! Bring in your student ID Feb 13-14 at the University City location only.

Now that’s a sweet deal!

FEB. 11 - 17, 2014

NINERTIMES