Number 2 seed Davidson defeated the Elon men's basketball team Thursday in quarterfinal plan of the Southern Conference basketball tournament being played in Charleston, S.C. Details...
(Game summary from Southern Conference Web site)
It took the better part of the game to make it happen, but once Davidson broke through, the Wildcats did so in a big way.
Elon (No. 3 seed, North) kept the lead for most of the game and frustrated Davidson’s efforts at a comeback. The Phoenix kept their lead hovering around the five-point level, and every time the Wildcats would pull to within one possession, Elon would drain a 3-pointer or convert a traditional three-point play.
The Wildcats kept coming, however, and finally dialed the right combination. A stiffer defense combined with improved shooting led to a 23-9 run over the final seven minutes. In the stretch, Brendan Winters and Logan Kosmalski had three-point plays, and Kosmalski hit a jumper from beyond the arc. Ian Johnson then delivered the decisive dagger with a trey to extend Davidson’s lead to eight with 1:09 remaining.
“It was a game of two halves,” said Davidson coach Bob McKillop. “In today’s second half, I feel like we showed a great deal of maturity and basketball I.Q. Instead of hitting home runs, we hit a lot of singles.”
Johnson led the Wildcats with 15 points, while Kosmalski added 13 and Matt McKillop 12.
Davidson and Elon spent most of the first half feeling things out. The Phoenix were able to grab the lead with solid offensive rebounding. Jackson Atoyebi had five points and nine early rebounds and Matt Nowling provided some punch with a pair of 3-point goals.
The Wildcats were able to keep the score close with three 3s and a three-point play. Winters was key with back-to-back treys.
In the second half, Davidson’s rebounding improved enough to negate five Elon 3s.
The Wildcats held Atoyebi to one second-half rebound and turned a seven-board halftime deficit into a 38-35 advantage.
“We didn’t get defense boards the way we wanted them,” said Elon coach Ernie Nestor. “That was difference in second half. We had too many turnovers against the zone and they played better defense in the last five minutes.”
Atoyebi totaled 20 points and 10 boards for the game. Scottie Rice added 10.
Davidson advances to play East Tennessee State (No. 1 seed North) Friday at 6 p.m.