ELON, N.C. – Elon University men's basketball fell to Ole Miss, 74-56, in its second game at the Charleston Classic on Friday, Nov. 19.
 
"I thought the guys showed fight tonight, but we've got to play better," head coach Mike Schrage opened. "We're looking at the big picture here – we're playing these kinds of teams and in this kind of event to make us our best come conference play. We're competing against high-level opponents with high-level talent, so I think we're going to grow from all of these experiences."

THE RUNDOWN
- Ole Miss jumped out to an early 11-point lead in the opening five minutes of the first half. Elon battled back from there, going on a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to three. Darius Burford sparked the spurt with his first triple of the game to bring the Phoenix back within single digits. After two quick scores from Sam Sherry and Jerald Gillens-Butler, Zac Ervin capped the run with three free-throws to bring the score to 17-14 with just over 10 minutes to play before the break.
- A late first half run by the Rebels gave them a 37-21 advantage heading into halftime.
- The two sides traded scores for most of the second half with Ole Miss outscoring the Phoenix 37-35 in in the final 20 minutes to secure the victory.

NOTES
- Darius Burford led the way for the Phoenix, dropping 16 points, four assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes. Burford has now scored at least 10 points in three consecutive games.
- Zac Ervin chipped in 13 points and four rebounds in 25 minutes of action. The totals marked Ervin's fourth consecutive 10+ point scoring night.
- Jerald Gillens-Butler added 12 points and a team-high three steals on the evening. It was Butler's first game scoring at least 10 points since scoring 12 points against Campbell in December of last season.
- Sam Sherry logged his first collegiate dunk, throwing down a one-handed jam early in the first half. Sherry finished the night with four points and two rebounds in 19 minutes.
- RJ Noord scored the first point of his college career, knocking down a free throw to finish the night with one point and one rebound in three minutes.
- Hunter Woods and Michael Graham combined for six points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in the loss.
- Elon held a 26-24 advantage in points in the paint.

UP NEXT
Elon returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 21, when it takes on Temple for the final day of the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic. That contest is slated for a 10:30 a.m. tip and will be broadcasted live on ESPNU.