CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ben Cherry hit 6 of 8 3-pointers, scoring a career-high 20, as Charlotte held off a furious rally to beat South Carolina Upstate 81-76 Saturday night.

Torrey Craig hit his fifth and final 3-point shot with 2:46 to play, capping a 16-0 run by SC Upstate (6-6) and giving the Spartans their first lead of the game, 71-69.

Terrence Williams responded with a 3 of his own 27 seconds later and Charlotte (8-3) made 9 of 10 free throws in the final 1:34 to hold off the Spartans, who trailed by as many as 22 on three separate occasions.

Cherry hit the first of three consecutive triples with 7:38 left in the first half to start a 16-2 run by Charlotte, which went into halftime with a 48-26 advantage.

Craig finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Ty Greene added 15 points, six assists and four steals.