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SC-Upstate holds on to beat NC A&T 78-68 with late rally

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) Mike Cunningham had a career-high 19 points, and sparked a late rally to help South Carolina-Upstate defeat North Carolina A&T 78-68 for its third win in a row on Tuesday night.

Michael Buchanan scored a season-high 17 points with 10 rebounds - his first double-double and five assists for the Spartans, who end their non-conference season 6-11. Josh Cuthbertson and Deion Holmes added 12 points.

S.C.-Upstate led most of the second half until North Carolina A&T (5-11) went on a 9-1 run to tie at 65-65 with 3:07 left. A minute later, with the Spartans up 67-66, the freshman Cunningham drained back-to-back 3-pointers to spark a game-clinching 11-2 surge.

Sam Hunt, whose 3-pointer forged the late tie, and Khary Doby each scored 17 for the Aggies, who lost their third straight.

S.C.-Upstate shot 51 percent (28-55), including 52 percent (12-for-23) from 3-point range. The Spartans owned a 42-28 edge on rebounds.