CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- Chris Czerapowicz scored 19 points as Davidson held on for an 82-77 win over Western Carolina on Thursday night.

Leading by as many 19 points in the first half, Davidson (9-11, 5-1 Southern Conference) had to scramble late in the second half as Western Carolina closed the gap on a 16-7 run capped by a pair of James Sinclair free throws that made it 68-66 with 5 minutes left. The Wildcats responded with six unanswered points and protected the margin down the stretch by going 8 for 8 from the penalty line.

De'Mon Brooks surpassed 1,500 career points in the win, contributing 15 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the field. Tyler Kalinoski and Jack Gibbs had 15 points each for Davidson, which had 22 turnovers but made up for it by shooting 57 percent from the field.

Sinclair led Western Carolina (11-10, 4-2) with 15 points and six rebounds.