ELON, N.C. – Dainan Swoope tabbed a game-high 23 points for the Phoenix as the Elon University men's basketball team defeated the William Peace Pacers 95-73 on Thursday night, November 5, in Alumni Gym in its lone exhibition contest of the 2015-16 season.
 
A total of four Phoenix finished in double figures. Tanner Samson notched 14 points and three rebounds, Tyler Seibring chalked up 11 points and a game-high eight boards, and Steven Santa Ana tallied 11 points off the bench. Luke Eddy dished out a game-high eight assists for Elon.

"We got a lot out of tonight and are very pleased with the experience," said head coach Matt Matheny. "This is a team that needs to be constructed. Like any team, we're very early in the process and we need to build this team. Tonight was a great night for building."
 
Highlights
Elon opened up with a 24-9 run to begin the game capped off by a Brian Dawkins three-pointer with 11:37 left in the first to create a comfortable lead early. Going down 28-12 at the 8:41 mark, the Pacers began a 9-3 spark which brought the game within 10 points at 31-21 with just over seven minutes to go in the half.
 
Two free throws at the charity strike from Swoope at 2:19 in the half got Elon back to a 20-point lead, 52-32, after an 21-11 run. The Phoenix closed the half strong, holding a 58-39 advantage at the break led by Swoope's 13 first half points.
 
A strong start to the second half earned Elon its largest lead of the game with 29 points at the 14:32 mark in the half, after a 15-5 run gave the Phoenix a 73-44 lead. It was smooth sailing for Elon to the finish, not allowing the Pacers to reach closer than 16 points in the remaining minutes, earning the 95-73 victory.
 
Notes
- Elon now has an 8-0 record in exhibition games under head coach Matt Matheny. Last season, the Phoenix topped Emory & Henry, 90-50, in Alumni Gym.
- The Phoenix and the William Peace Pacers had not met previously before this exhibition contest. It was the first-ever matchup between the two sides in exhibition or regular season competition.
 
Looking Ahead
Elon hits the road on Friday, Nov. 13 for the opening night of the regular season at Charlotte. Tipoff at Halton Arena is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on American Sports Network (ASN).