WILMINGTON – Isaac Harrell scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but Elon fell to Coastal Athletic Association frontrunner UNCW, 65-54, on Thursday night at Trask Coliseum.
 
UNCW (21-4, 10-2 CAA) used a hot start from 3-point range to build a first-half cushion, then kept the Phoenix at arm's length throughout the final 20 minutes. Elon dropped to 13-13 overall and 5-8 in CAA play with its fourth straight loss.
 
The Seahawks shot 46% from the field and 44% (11 of 25) from beyond the arc, placing four players in double figures. Christian May led UNCW with 15 points, while Noah Ross added 12 points and nine rebounds. Nolan Hodge finished with 11 points and three assists, and Patrick Wessler totaled 10 points and eight rebounds.
 
Elon struggled to find offensive rhythm, shooting 34.5% (20 of 58) overall and 19.2% (5 of 26) from 3-point distance on the way to a season-low 54 points. Harrell went 4 of 6 from the floor and 2 of 4 from deep to lead the Phoenix. Randall Pettus II and Caleb Middleton each scored nine points, and Bryson Cokley had six points, six rebounds and four assists.
 
UNCW seized control early, hitting seven first-half 3-pointers. Threes from Hodge and May keyed an early run that put the Seahawks in front by multiple possessions just minutes into the game.
 
Elon cut its first-half deficit to four twice in the final eight minutes. Back-to-back layups by Harrell and Ja'Juan Carr helped pull the Phoenix within 28-24, but UNCW closed the half on a 5-0 burst to take a 33-24 lead at the break.
 
The Seahawks stretched the advantage to as many as 18 in the second half, going ahead 47-29 after a Wessler free throw with 13:37 remaining. Elon made it a single-digit game on a Middleton layup but could not get closer as UNCW converted late chances to secure the win. The Seahawks held a 40-36 rebounding edge and scored 14 second-chance points.
 
UP NEXT
Elon continues its road swing at William & Mary on Saturday. Tipoff at Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg, Virginia, is at 2 p.m. ET.
 
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Fans can support Elon Athletics through the Phoenix Club. To purchase 2025-26 tickets, visit TicketMaster.com/ElonTickets.
 
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