Box Score
ELON, N.C. – The Elon men’s basketball team never trailed en route to a 93-50 victory over the visiting Washington & Lee Generals in exhibition basketball from Alumni Gym on Saturday evening. Phoenix junior guard
Drew Spradlin had another solid performance, dumping in 25 points in 26 minutes of action. Elon will open the 2010-11 regular season at SEC power South Carolina on Friday, Nov. 12 at 9 p.m.
In a well-rounded effort, 12 different Elon players scored in the contest as the Phoenix shot 40.5 percent from the field. The home team had a strong night from beyond the arc, hitting 14-of-29 three-pointers.
Terrance Birdette also scored in double figures for Elon, netting 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Fifteen Phoenix players saw action in the contest.
“Overall, I thought we were better than Monday night,” said Elon head men’s basketball coach
Matt Matheny. “We are going to try each night to get better and I feel like we accomplished that goal. The defense was better in tonight’s 40 minutes compared to Monday night, and our defense created good offense, especially in the second half.”
Elon quickly jumped on top 10-2 behind the strength of two
Brett Ervin treys and layups by Spradlin and
Scott Grable. The Phoenix didn’t waste any time increasing its advantage to double figures, connecting on its next 5-of-8 attempts to take a 23-6 lead with 12:10 to play in the opening half.
Washington & Lee scored six unanswered points to cut the deficit to 11 midway through the period, but Phoenix free throws and the sharp shooting of Spradlin helped Elon to a 22-point lead, 44-22, with 3:22 remaining before the half. The Phoenix held a 44-24 advantage after 20 minutes.
Elon’s first three buckets of the second half came from long range as the Phoenix continued to build on its lead. Elon shot 57.1 percent in the final period, hitting 9-of-15 from downtown. The Phoenix received 28 points from its bench in the last 20 minutes to close the game with its biggest lead of the night at 43.
Elon registered 24 assists on 35 baskets, getting seven helpers from senior point guard
Chris Long and another six assists from junior guard
Josh Bonney. Elon outrebounded the Generals 49-36 with Grable leading the way with eight boards.
Washington & Lee was led by J.D. Ey who had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Jeremy Adkins also netted 10 points for the visitors.
Elon heads to South Carolina to tip off the regular season next Friday night at 9 p.m. The game can be seen on Fox Sports Carolinas.
-- ELON --