ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men's basketball team opened the 2014-15 season with a 90-50 victory over the visiting Emory & Henry Wasps on Friday night, Nov. 7, in exhibition action from Alumni Gym.
 
Five Phoenix players scored in double figures in the win, led by a team-best 14 from rookie Dmitri Thompson. Christian Hairston and Elijah Bryant added 12 points, while Tanner Samson and Ryan Winters each pitched in 10 for the maroon and gold.
 
Elon shot 49 percent from the field on 34-of-69 field goals, knocking down 8-of-27 from three. The Phoenix ended the night up 10 (44-34) in rebounds, as Bryant hauled down a team-high seven.
 
Turnovers proved to be costly for the Wasps, as Elon scored 32 points off 28 miscues by Emory & Henry. The Phoenix ended the night with 16 steals, including a game-high four by Luke Eddy.
 
Elon limited the Wasps to just 2-of-10 shooting to close the first period, taking a 39-22 lead at intermission. The Phoenix forced E&H into 15 first-half turnovers and shot 45 percent from the field in the opening frame to hold a double-digit lead.
 
Emory & Henry was held without a basket until the 13:33 mark of the second half, but the Phoenix had jumped out to a 57-25 lead by that point to put the game all but out of reach.
 
Elon led by as many as 38 points down the stretch to secure the victory.
 
The Phoenix returns to action on Friday, Nov. 14, for its regular season opener against Florida Atlantic. Tip is set for 8 p.m. and the game will be televised on the American Sports Network (ASN).