ELON, N.C. – Jackson Atoyebi put up 15 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks, Scottie Rice posted 15 points and four assists and Chris Chalko added 10 points and nine rebounds as Elon downed Southeastern, the defending NCCAA-II national champion, 78-42 in men’s basketball Friday night at Alumni Gym.

The Fire (5-3) claimed four early four-point leads at 4-0, 7-3, 9-5 and 11-7 before the Phoenix (1-0) took the game over. Elon closed the first period with a 22-6 run to build a 29-17 halftime lead after a pair of Atoyebi free throws with 35 seconds to play before the intermission.

The Phoenix continued to soar in the second stanza, using a 34-7 run to turn a 42-32 edge with 13:14 remaining into a commanding 76-39 cushion on a jumper by Ola Atoyebi with 1:04 left.

Elon heroes included LeVonn Jordan (10 rebounds), Montell Watson (eight points, five steals, three assists), Brett James (nine points, two blocks) and Brian Waters (eight points, four assists).

Southeastern was led by Israel Galloway (13 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks) and Joey Gunter (eight points, four assists). The Fire was held to 28.1-percent (16-for-57) shooting for the contest, including a 24.0-percent (6-for-25) clip in the first half.

After shooting just 30.3 percent (10-for-33) in the first period, the Phoenix fired 48.6 percent (18-for-37) in the second stanza to finish at 40.0 percent for the game. Elon won the battle of the boards 58-39 and surrendered just 13 turnovers while forcing 23.

Both teams return to action at 7 p.m. Monday as Elon visits Georgia Tech and Southeastern visits High Point.

– ELON –

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