ELON, N.C. – Elon used 12 players – including 11 who scored – to claim its home opener with a convincing 85-52 triumph over Bluefield Friday night at Alumni Gym. The win marked the first of the season for the Phoenix.

Powered by a 17-4 run to open the second period, Elon (1-3) stretched a 46-29 halftime advantage into a 63-33 cushion on a jumper by Ryan Jones with 11:29 remaining. The Ramblin’ Rams (2-6) inched within 67-43 on a free throw by Jamaine Burcke, capping a 10-4 spurt. Bluefield moved no closer and trailed by as much as 80-45 on a fast-break lay-up by Carlos Moreira with 4:11 on the clock.

Elon out-dueled the Rams in field goal percentage (42.9-32.7), three-point field goal percentage (43.5-28.6), free throw percentage (78.9-57.1), rebounds (46-40), assists (22-12), turnovers (14-22) and steals (14-8).

Jackson Atoyebi (18 points, eight rebounds), Scottie Rice (13 points, five assists, four steals), Moreira (nine points), Matt Nowlin (nine points, eight rebounds) and Steven Harvin (nine points, four assists) paced a balanced attack for the Phoenix. Bluefield was led by Jimil Smith (10 points, nine rebounds) and Mookie Holmes (10 points, seven rebounds, four assists).

Elon returns to action at 7 p.m. Tuesday when it hosts Methodist. The Rams visit Bluefield State Monday for an 8 p.m. contest.

— ELON —

Game Box Score