CLEMSON, S.C. -- Leemire Goldwire scored 21 points to lead Charlotte to an 82-72 victory over No. 18 Clemson on Wednesday night, the 49ers' first win over a ranked team in nearly three years.

Charlotte (9-5) lost all of a 12-point lead in the second half, but outscored the Tigers 13-3 over the final 4:23.

The 49ers hadn't beaten a Top 25 team since defeating No. 18 Cincinnati 91-90 on Feb. 5, 2005.

They weren't expected to chalk up a victory over Clemson (12-3), which came off a thrilling 90-88 overtime loss Sunday night to No. 1 North Carolina.

Maybe it was coming so close against the Tar Heels. Or maybe it was the nonconference opponent in Charlotte, but the Tigers did not have the same flash they showed a few days earlier.

The exception was forward Trevor Booker, who led Clemson with a career-high 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

The 49ers appeared to have the game in hand when Charles Dewhurst's driving basket putting them ahead 49-37 with 16:22 to go.

Clemson scratched back and tied things at 69 on K.C. Rivers' soft jumper with 4:23 left.

The rally seemed to tire out the Tigers, though, and the 49ers took advantage.

Dewhurst hit the go-ahead free throw and Goldwire added a 3-pointer.

Goldwire had 10 rebounds.

The Charlotte fans who made the trip to Littlejohn Coliseum broke into an "under-rated" chant for their team as the final seconds ticked off.