Melvin Johnson sank four free throws in the final 23 seconds as Texas-San Antonio held off Fresno State 83-79 Tuesday night in the consolation bracket of the NIT Season Tip-Off.
Johnson and Kannon Burrage finished with 14 points apiece. Stephen Franklin added 12 for Texas-San Antonio (3-2), which nearly blew a 17-point halftime lead.
The Roadrunners, coming off their first NCAA Tournament appearance, got 38 points from their bench.
Jonathan Wills scored 20 of his career-high 26 points in the second half for Fresno State (2-3). Kevin Olekaibe had 18 points despite 6-of-23 shooting.
Jeromie Hill put Texas-San Antonio ahead 61-41 with a 3-pointer with 15:15 left in the second half. The Roadrunners went cold, and with Wills heating up, Fresno State outscored them 29-12 and were within 73-70 after a 3-pointer by Olekaibe with 4:31 left. But Johnson's free throws helped seal the win for Texas-San Antonio.
