Late 3-pointers help Northern Kentucky edge SC-Upstate 66-65

SPARTANBURG, S.C. >> Todd Johnson drained three 3-pointers and Tyler White added a fourth in the final minutes as Northern Kentucky fought past SC-Upstate 66-65 on Saturday.

Upstate’s Ty Greene hit a 3-pointer and a free throw with 22 seconds left, pulling the Spartans to 66-65, but despite a Marvin Smith steal to get the ball back in the last 12 seconds, SC-Upstate was unable to get off another shot.

In a game with five ties and five lead changes, the Norse (8-10, 2-1 Atlantic Sun) took the lead for good, 58-55, on the first of Johnson’s series of late 3-pointers with 3:39 to play. He drained two more to make it 64-57 with just over a minute left.

Johnson finished with 12 points, all 3-pointers, Jalen Billups led with 16, and Tayler Persons 15.

SC-Upstate (13-6, 2-1) outscored Northern Kentucky 8-2 in the final minute. Greene scored 22 for the Spartans.