ELON, N.C. – Elon University men's basketball fell to UT Arlington 97-61 on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28.
 
The Phoenix was led by senior guard Marcus Sheffield who dropped a season-high 25 points, adding a team-high six rebounds as well. Simon Wright contributed 10 points, five rebounds and two assists of his own.
 
UT Arlington was led by guard Sam Griffin, who recorded 20 points and three rebounds in the contest.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Down 3-0 early in the first half, Simon Wright found Zac Ervin in rhythm for a knockdown three. The next time down the floor, Marcus Sheffield made a tough pull-up jumper that put Elon on top 5-3 with just over 17 minutes remaining in the opening half.
 
Trailing UT Arlington 15-9 with just under 12 minutes left in the half, Kris Wooten knocked down his first triple of the night to cut the deficit to three. Marcus Sheffield followed the up with another pull-up to cut it to one.
 
With just under eight minutes to play in half number one, Kris Wooten hit another triple to spark an 8-2 Elon run. Marcus Sheffield knocked down two free throws to cap the quick burst and put Elon on top 25-24.
 
The Phoenix entered the half trailing 32-30.
 
Early in the second half, with UT Arlington leading by three, two Marcus Sheffield free throws followed by a Simon Wright triple sparked a 10-0 Elon run capped by a thunderous dunk by Sheffield. The burst put the Phoenix on top 51-44 with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game.
 
After UT Arlington fought back into the game and took a seven-point lead with seven minutes remaining, Hunter McIntosh and Zac Ervin scored back-to-back Elon buckets to cut the deficit to three.
 
UT Arlington held on to win the contest 77-67 on Thanksgiving Day.

NOTES
- With today's loss, Elon fell to 2-6 on the season.
- The Phoenix shot the ball 40.4 percent from the floor, including a 37.0 percent clip from beyond the arc.
- The Phoenix went to the line 14 times, making 11 of its attempts from the charity stripe
- Elon forced 12 Mavericks turnovers

UP NEXT
Elon will round out a four-game home stand against Kennesaw State at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.