HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – Chandler Cuthrell scored a career-high 28 points and two other Phoenix scored in double figures, but the Elon men's basketball team could not slow down a red-hot Marshall offense in a 96-89 loss Wednesday night at the Cam Henderson Center.
 
Cuthrell shot 11 of 23 from the floor and added five rebounds, two blocks and two steals while Randall Pettus II and Bryson Cokley scored 17 and 14 points, respectively. It was Elon's (2-1) first loss of the year while Marshall improved to 3-0.
 
The Phoenix knocked down 11 3-pointers – its third straight game to start the year with 10-plus makes from deep – but the Thundering Herd counted with a blistering 54.1% clip from the floor, including 15 of 32 from beyond the arc. Wyatt Fricks poured in 34 points on 13-of-14 shooting overall – 7-of-8 shooting from 3-point range – and former Phoenix Matt Van Komen added 14 points, seven rebounds and six blocks for Marshall.
 
Marshall led 45-43 at halftime after a back-and-forth 20 minutes that featured three ties and a pair of lead changes.
 
A three by Kacper Klaczek with 14:44 remaining in the contest brought Elon within two points, 60-58, but the Herd reeled off the next eight points to grab a double-digit lead. Marshall extended its lead to as much as 13 with 8:30 to go and fended off a pair of late rallies by the Phoenix that were fueled by a 3-pointer from Pettus and a pair of three-point plays by Ja'Juan Carr.
 
NOTABLES

• Elon has made 10-plus 3-pointers in three straight games for the first time since a three-game stretch between Nov. 19-27, 2021.
• Freshman DeMarco Johnson led the team in assists for the second time in three games to start his career. He dished out eight assists to just one turnover, improving his season ratio to 17-to-2.
• Cuthrell's 28 points were the most by a Phoenix since TK Simpkins scored 30 last season on Feb. 22, 2025.
• Pettus has made multiple 3-pointers in each game this season, including his trio at Marshall.
• Johnson, Cuthrell and Isaac Harrell all grabbed multiple steals in the loss.
• Elon edged Marshall in points in the paint (40-34) and bench points (22-12).

 
UP NEXT
Elon returns home to host Gardner-Webb on Saturday night. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Schar Center, following the Elon women's basketball team's home contest against Howard at 5 p.m. ET.
 
SUPPORT THE PHOENIX
Fans can support Elon Athletics through the Phoenix Club. To purchase 2025-26 season tickets, visit TicketMaster.com/ElonTickets.
 
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Elon men's basketball, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonMBasketball) and Instagram (@ElonMBasketball).