WASHINGTON D.C. – The Elon University men's basketball team nearly overcame a 25-point second-half deficit, but ultimately would fall to Drexel, 91-74, in the second round of the 2025 Jersey Mike's CAA Men's Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 8 at the CareFirst Arena.
 
Sam Sherry and TK Simpkins both had 23 points to lead the Phoenix (17-15) in the game. Andrew King and TJ Simpkins both added 11 points each to round out the double-figure scorers for Elon.
 
Drexel (18-14) had four players who also scored in double digits. Jason Drake has a game-high 25 points followed by Kobe Magee and his 24 points. Cole Hargrove had 19 and 10 rebounds while Yame Butler contributed with 14.
 
THE RUNDOWN
• Elon trailed by four, 13-9, early in the first half but battled back to tie the game at 13-all on a Sam Sherry jumper in the lane. The Dragons went on an 8-0 run to take a 21-13 lead with 9:02 left in the first half.
• The Phoenix trimmed its deficit down to six, 23-17, on an Andrew King layup with 7:13 left in the opening period. Drexel however would finish the first period on a 22-5 run, taking a 45-22 advantage into the break.
• Drexel would lead by as much as 25 in the second half, 54-29, after a tip-in from Jason Drake. The Dragons led by 20, 56-36, after a layup by Magee with 14:18 left.
• Elon would cut its deficit back under single digits thanks to a 14-1 run over the next three minutes. Back-to-back baskets by Sherry brought the score 57-50 with 11:16 left to play in the game.
• Drexel went up by nine, 59-50, after Butler scored on a layup. The Phoenix kept fighting and made it a five-point game, 59-54, after TJ Simpkins drilled a three-pointer with 9:13 remaining. The Dragons however went on an 11-0 run to go in front 70-54 after a Butler three-pointer.
• Elon fell behind by 20, 80-60, with 4:23 left to play. A three-pointer from TK Simpkins brought the Phoenix deficit to 16, 86-70, with just over two minutes remaining.  The Phoenix would only get its deficit as low as 15 in the final minutes as the Dragons were in control the rest of the way for the 91-74 win.
 
NOTES
• TJ Simpkins played 37 minutes in his first game back from injury.
• King led the Phoenix with eight assists – a new season-high for the Phoenix, Ariz., native.