BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Justin Johnson slammed home a dunk with 1:23 left in the game to give Western Kentucky its first lead since early in the first half and the Hilltoppers held on to beat Charlotte 59-54 on Saturday.

Trailing 49-43 with 3:56 left, Western Kentucky's Fredrick Edmond hit two free throws and Nigel Snipes drilled a trey to close to 49-48 and Johnson's dunk gave the Hilltoppers the lead. Aaron Cosby nailed a 3-pointer for a 53-49 lead with 39 seconds left.

Cosby and Snipes had 12 apiece for Western Kentucky (13-14, 5-9 Conference USA) which stopped a three-game losing skid.

Charlotte (10-17, 6-8) was 21 of 41 from the floor while holding the Hilltoppers to 16-of-53 shooting (30 percent) but Western Kentucky made 21 of 26 free throws. The 49ers were 6 of 12 from the line.

Joseph Uchebo and Jon Davis led Charlotte with 12 apiece.