BUIES CREEK, NC -- J.D. McNeill and Ryan Loucks each fired a two-over-par 74 to pace the Phoenix to its third tournament title of the season Tuesday by capturing the Lonnie D. Small Intercollegiate at Keith Hills Country Club.

The championship was Elon's third in four tournaments and 10th top-five finish overall in 11 events during the 2001-2002 campaign. The Phoenix has collected eight top-three finishes so far this season.

Elon's two-day, two-round 279-298--577 was enough to hold off host Campbell (286-292--578) by a stroke. The Phoenix also beat defending Big South Conference champion Charleston Southern (295-295--590), Davidson (310-300--610), Appalachian State (311-305--616) and Gardner-Webb (309-307--616) in the six-team field.

Charleston Southern's Tom Schupp and Campbell's Simon Dunn each carded an identical 70-72--142, edging McNeill (69-74--143) by one shot on the 6,703-yard course. Schupp won a playoff with Dunn to claim medalist honors.

McNeill's third-place finish was complemented by solid performances by Loucks (Tied 4th, 70-74--144), James Hockman (Tied 6th, 69-76--145), Mark Hunsicker (Tied 11th, 71-76--147) and Andrew Koenig (Tied 20th, 79-74--153) throughout the 35-golfer event.

Elon undergoes one final tune-up for the Big South Conference tournament when it travels to the East Carolina Invitational Friday.

--ELON--