Winthrop reaches title game, 80-79 over Asheville

Mar 8, 2014, 04:54 pm

CONWAY, S.C. -- Keon Johnson scored the last five points as fourth-seeded Winthrop continues its giant-killer run through the Big South tournament, knocking off No. 2 seed UNC Asheville 80-79 in a semifinal Saturday. The Eagles ousted top-seeded High Point with a last-second shot Friday.

The Eagles (20-12) advance to Sunday's championship for the first time since 2010, facing Coastal Carolina (19-12).

Johnson finished with 16 points and hit a pair of jumpers with less than 2 minutes to play. Both scores came after Asheville misses. Larry Brown grabbed a board leading to a Johnson jumper that propelled the Eagles into the lead, 78-77. Next time down the floor, Joab Jerome rebounded an Asheville miss and again Johnson struck at the other end for an 80-77 edge.

Twenty of Winthrop's 26 rebounds were off the defensive glass.

The Bulldogs (17-15) missed a driving layup and a putback in the final 10 seconds.