CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Marshall's Kareem Canty scored 21 points and Chris Thomas recorded 18 in fending off Charlotte 59-56 on Saturday night.

Marshall (9-17, 3-8) entered the game tied with three other teams having cellar-dwelling standing in the Conference USA, and led Charlotte 36-32 at intermission.

DeVince Boykins put Marshall up by 11 on a tip-in with 12:09 remaining in the second period. Marshall remained well ahead of Charlotte (14-10, 5-6) until the 49ers rallied to within four points with 1:28 to play. Canty fired back for the Thundering Herd, landing a jumper and taking a 59-53 lead.

Marshall did not get another shot at the basket, committing two turnovers in the final 53 seconds. Meanwhile, Charlotte landed only one-of-five 3-pointers in that same stretch and fell short of catching Marshall before the buzzer.

Shawn Lester led Charlotte with 16 points while Willie Clayton hauled in 16 rebounds in the losing effort.