Johnson, King help Middle Tennessee beat Charlotte 78-73

Feb 4, 2018, 02:23 am

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Antwain Johnson had 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting and Nick King had his seventh double-double of the season to help Middle Tennessee hold off Charlotte for a 78-73 win on Saturday night.

King, a graduate transfer from Alabama, finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds and Johnson added three steals. Tyrik Dixon added 10 points, including a late 3-pointer, on 4-of-5 shooting for Middle Tennessee (18-5, 10-1 Conference USA). The Blue Raiders have won five in a row and 10 of their last 11.

Johnson hit a jumper to give Middle Tennessee a 12-point lead with six minutes to play, Jon Davis scored 10 points during a 14-5 run that trimmed Charlotte's deficit to 73-70 with 1:32 remaining. Dixon answered with a 3 and, after Najee Garvin converted a 3-point play with 49 seconds left, King capped the scoring with two free throws.

Davis had 20 points and Garvin scored 17 for Charlotte (5-16, 1-9).

Middle Tennessee used a 13-3 advantage on the offensive glass to outscore the 49ers 15-5 on second-chance points.