This is the first time in the Phoenix's Division I history (since 1999-2000) that the program has begun 7-0 on its home floor.
The Elon University men’s basketball team continued its unbeaten streak at home with an 81-68 win over Campbell in a CAA league game on Monday night, Jan. 13 at Schar Center, broadcasted on CBS Sports.
Elon (12-5, 3-1 CAA) bounced back from its first CAA loss last week and improved to 7-0 at Schar Center this season. It is the first time in the Phoenix’s Division I history (since 1999-2000) that the program has begun 7-0 on its home floor. It is also the Phoenix’s best start at the DI level through 17 games.
Sam Sherry and Nick Dorn combined for 45 points in the Phoenix’s win. Sherry led the way with 23 points while adding his sixth double-double of the season with 10 boards. Dorn connected on his fifth 20-point game with 22 points while going 5-of-10 from three-point range. TJ Simpkins added 12 points while flirting with a triple-double with eight rebounds and six assists while Brayden Crump contributed with 11 off the bench.
Campbell (7-10, 2-2 CAA) saw Colby Duggan lead the team with a game-high 29 points. Jasin Sinani added 13 while Cam Gregory contributed with 11. The Camels were held to 38 percent shooting by the Phoenix, as Elon held an opponent to less than 40 percent from the field for the fourth time in the past five games.
THE RUNDOWN
- Dorn began the game scoring the first nine points for the Phoenix, including a pair of three-pointers during that stretch. A corner triple by the sophomore gave the maroon and gold a 9-4 lead before Campbell brought it to a two-point game, 9-7. A 7-0 run by the Phoenix pushed Elon ahead 16-7 after an Andrew King jumper.
- Campbell answered with a 6-0 run of its own to make it a three-point contest, 16-13, with 13:23 left in the first half. Back-to-back layups from Sherry and Brayden Crump put the maroon and gold ahead 20-13 before a Camels’ layup made it a five-point game, 20-15, at the under-12 media timeout.
- The Camels pulled within two, 23-21, with less than 10 minutes in the first half after a pair of free throws. Elon responded with an 11-0 run over the next three-plus minutes to take a 34-21 advantage. The Phoenix stayed ahead by double figures including matching its largest lead of the half, 40-27, after a putback layup from Crump.
- Campbell cut its deficit below double figures twice in the final two minutes including scoring the last basket of the first period on a Duggan layup to trail 42-34 going into the half.
- The Camels trailed by seven, 44-37, after connecting on a second-chance three with 17:49 left in the game. Elon went on an 8-0 run to take a 15-point lead, 52-37, going into the first media timeout of the second half.
- A 13-4 run by the Camels brought the visitors right back in it as Phoenix held on to a 56-50 lead going under the under-12 media timeout in the second half. Elon answered with a 10-3 run to go up 66-53 with just under 10 minutes left to play.
- The Camels would trim the Phoenix’s lead down to nine, 66-57, after a couple of baskets with 8:21 remaining. After a media timeout, Elon would pull away thanks to a 13-5 run over the next seven minutes, building its biggest lead of the game at 79-62 with 1:36 left.
- Both teams would play out the final minute before settling on the 81-68 final score in favor of the Phoenix.
NOTES
- Sherry added his third straight double-double and his fifth in the last six games. Over that span, the Mechanicsburg, Pa., native is averaging 18.7 points per game and 11.0 boards per contest. It was also his third game with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
- Dorn had his sixth game of the season with at least five or more threes. The Charlotte, native has scored in double figures a team-high 16 times on the year.
- Matthew Van Komen had another double-digit rebounding effort with 10 boards, his sixth game with boards in double figures. He was also credited with three blocks in the game, giving him 45 on the season to move into the program’s top 10 list for a single season.
- TK Simpkins returned to the Phoenix lineup after missing the past five games due to injury. The Brooklyn, native scored four points in 15 minutes of action while adding four assists to his stat line.
- Crump set a new season-high in points as the Morganton, N.C., native was 5-of-8 from the field while grabbing four boards in 14 minutes.
- Elon won the rebound battle, 40-31, over the Camels. The Phoenix had 10 offensive boards, scoring 20 second-chance points off the extra possessions. The maroon and gold also improved to 12-2 when it wins the battle on the glass.
UP NEXT
The Phoenix is on the road at Drexel for its next contest on Thursday evening, Jan. 16. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will stream on FloCollege (FloHoops).