GAME NOTES: The Charlotte 49ers will open their 2014-15 campaign away from home as they hit the road to face their in-state rival Elon Phoenix Sunday in a non-conference clash at Alumni Gym.

Charlotte finished the 2013-14 with a slightly above-average 17-14 overall record, but didn't have as strong a resume in Conference USA play, ending the season at 7-9 in the league. It was the first season for the 49ers in Conference USA after spending some time in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Elon was in action Friday, as the Phoenix squared off against Florida Atlantic at home. Elon took the game, 64-58, thanks to four double-digit scorers and a strong defense that limited FAU to only 37.5 percent shooting in the contest.

Charlotte and Elon have met just three times on the hardwood before in their histories, with the 49ers holding a slim 2-1 advantage. They played almost exactly a year ago, with Charlotte coming away victorious, 83-69.

Coach Alan Major should be excited about the upcoming season, since he has his four top scorers back in a well-rounded lineup that is led by senior guard Pierria Henry. Henry led the team last season with a 12.3 ppg average and 5.8 apg, also adding in a 5.2 rpg mark. Guard Shawn Lester and forward Willie Clayton (both juniors) were ranked numbers two and three in scoring on the 49ers roster last season, with Lester netting 11.9 ppg and Clayton checking in at 10.8 ppg (also bringing down a team-best 8.9 rpg). Guard Terrence Williams (10.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and center Mike Thorne Jr. (9.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg) are both back as well, giving Major a very experienced roster, with plenty of depth on the bench.

The top end of Conference USA will be highly contentious, but Charlotte figures into the top tier of programs that should have a fighting chance for the league's title, considering how well the team performed in its first year back. The 49ers took on Newberry in an exhibition contest last week, which saw six Charlotte players net double-digit point totals. Braxton Ogbueze led the team with 26 points, Torin Dorn had 19 and Thorne and Ivan Benkovic each had 15. Henry netted 10 points and dished out 11 assists with three steals, but also seven turnovers.

The Phoenix are the newest members of the Colonial Athletic Association, having moved over in the offseason from the Southern Conference where the program enjoyed recent success. Last season, Elon posted a record of 18-14 overall with one of the deepest lineups in the conference. But the Phoenix return just two starters from a year ago and lose four 1,000-point scorers from the 2013-14 squad. Tanner Samson was the best returning starter for the Phoenix from a season ago, when he averaged 9.4 ppg.

Samson netted 10 points in the team's season-opening win, adding eight rebounds and an assist to his stat line. Tony Sabato was the team's leading scorer with 14 points, while Luke Eddy chipped in with 13. Elijah Bryant came off the bench to round out the double-digit scorers, adding 10 points but with a team-high five turnovers in his team's win. The Phoenix shot 42.3 percent from the floor, but only 25 percent from 3-point range.

With a day's rest after the team's season-opening win, the Phoenix will find out pretty quickly if they are in shape to handle two games in three days. Charlotte is raring to go, and with a solid core of returning players, including team-leader Henry, the 49ers can certainly travel to Elon and win on the road.