BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Adjehi Baru had 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead the College of Charleston to a hard-fought 69-65 victory over Samford in Southern Conference play Thursday.

Anthony Thomas had 12 points and seven rebounds, Anthony Stitt scored 11 and Andrew Lawrence and Willis Hall 10 each for the Cougars (17-7, 9-3), who have won five in straight.

Raijon Kelly had 21 points and eight assists, Tyler Hood and Clide Geffrard Jr. scored 13 each and Tim Williams had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Bulldogs (7-16, 5-5), who have lost four in a row.

Samford trailed 11-2 but came back to tie at 15-all on Kelly's jumper and led 31-26 at halftime.

Charleston finally took the lead at 43-42 on Nori Johnson's layup with 9:36 left. The Cougars pushed the advantage to 60-50 on Lawrence's jumper at 1:30 and made 9 of 10 free throws down the stretch.