CHARLESTON, S.C. -- John Brown scored 27 points and Lorenzo Cugini hit a late 3-pointer that gave his team the lead for good as High Point rallied to beat Charleston Southern 78-73 on Saturday night.

Cugini finished with 17 points for the Panthers (11-4, 4-0 Big South). Anthony Lindauer added 11 points and five rebounds and Adam Weary had 10 points and four rebounds.

High Point trailed 69-61 with 8:13 to play when Brown sank a pair of layups and Weary hit a 3-pointer and a layup to help the Panthers pull to within two, 73-71, with 3:15 left. Cugini followed with a 3-pointer to put the Panthers on top 74-73 with 2:29 to go and they held on as Charleston Southern failed to score again.

Charleston Southern had a 48-40 advantage at the break and led through much of the second half.

Aaron Wheeler led the Buccaneers (5-9, 1-2) with 18 points and nine rebounds.