ELON, N.C. – Mikko Koivisto poured in 22 points – 17 in the second half – as UNC Greensboro pulled away for an 89-72 Southern Conference men’s basketball victory over Elon Saturday night at Alumni Gym.
Damian Eargle (18 points, nine rebounds), Ben Stywall (15 points, 12 rebounds – his third consecutive double-double outing), Daniel Oliver (12 points, five assists, three steals) and DeAngelo Jackson (10 points) also scored in double digits for the Spartans (3-12 overall, 2-4 SoCon), marking the first time that UNCG saw all five of its starters reach double figures since posting a 78-68 triumph at The Citadel on Jan. 22, 2005.
It marked the second-highest point total that the Phoenix (4-10, 1-5) has allowed this season. Elon surrendered its most points of the campaign in a 92-47 setback at West Virginia on Nov. 15. It also marked the fourth time this season that a Phoenix opponent has scored 80 or more points, tying last year’s total.
Toney Kendall issued five assists for the Spartans while Koivisto dished out four. Elon was led by Ola Atoyebi (17 points, six rebounds), Chris Long (12 points, six assists), Brett James (11 points) and Josh Bonney (10 points, career-high seven assists). The Phoenix tied a season high by netting nine three-point field goals. Elon also drained nine treys in an 82-65 loss at Tennessee-Martin on Nov. 22.
“You’ve just got to keep working,” Elon coach Ernie Nestor said. “That’s your only option. The ball bounces to the people that play the hardest. We have to have a better effort.”
The contest featured five ties and four lead changes. The Phoenix outscored the Spartans 30-26 in the paint and 30-12 off the bench. UNCG won the battle of the boards by a 37-25 margin and committed just 11 turnovers to 12 by Elon.
The Spartans shot 58.9 percent (33 of 56) from the field – 50.0 percent (7 of 14) from three-point range – and 64.0 percent (16 of 25) from the free throw line. The Phoenix fired 46.0 percent (29 of 63) from the floor – 37.5 percent (9 of 24) from behind the arc – and 50.0 percent (5 of 10) from the charity stripe.
UNCG built a 45-36 advantage on a jumper by Eargle with 18:29 remaining in the contest, but Elon went on an 11-1 run to claim a 47-46 edge on a jump shot by Bonney with 14:37 to play. Oliver knocked down a pair of free throws at the 14:25 mark to give the Spartans a 48-47 lead. UNCG never trailed again.
The Phoenix scored seven of the next 13 points to even the count at 54-54 on a pair of freebies by Bonney with 12:16 left. The Spartans responded by going on a 28-6 tear, creating an 82-60 cushion on a bucket by Koivisto with 3:52 to go.
