CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Mike Cunningham nailed the winning bucket, a 3-point jumper, with seven seconds left as South Carolina Upstate knocked off Charleston Southern 79-77 on Saturday night.

Cunningham split a pair of free throws in the last second to secure the win.

Charleston Southern's Patrick Wallace hit a trey with 21 seconds remaining to give the Buccaneers a 77-75 lead, but they could not hold off Cunningham, who made all four attempts from beyond the arc to total 21 points.

Deion Holmes was 7 of 10 from the floor for 17 points and Ramel Thompkins had 12 points for South Carolina Upstate (2-2).

The Spartans were ahead 42-37 at the half but Charleston Southern (1-2) charged back and led 60-53 midway in the second half. Christian Keeling made a layup to give the Buccaneers a 75-74 lead with 1:49 left before Wallace hit his trey.

Javis Howard led the Buccaneers with 16 points.