BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Christian Cunningham scored 29 points, including crucial free throws late, Alex Thompson added 26 points, and Samford beat Jacksonville State 81-77 on Sunday.

Close throughout, it was tied at 70 with 3:28 left on a 3-pointer by Jacksonville State's Erik Dunham. Samford (5-3) responded with a 3 by Thompson, Wyatt Walker made a pair from the line and Josh Sharkey (nine points) nailed a jumper to make it 77-70 with 1:21 left.

Ashton Spears hit a 3 and a pair of free throws to get JSU (5-4) back to within two with 28 seconds left, but Cunningham made 4 of 4 from the line to ice it.

Cunningham went 8 of 14 from the field, made all 13 free throw attempts and added five steals and four assists.

Greg Tucker led JSU with 20 points and Malcolm Drumwright added 13 points with seven assists.