Phoenix sneak past Spartans, advance to semifinals

Justin Hite / Sports Editor

The Phoenix managed to squeeze into the semifinals even after giving up an 18-point lead at the start of the second half, holding of UNC-Greensboro in overtime, 64-61.

The Spartans erased the Phoenix second half leading, after scoring 14 unanswered points but were unable to take the lead in regulation only tying the game with 1:48 left on the clock. UNC-G seemed to have the momentum going into the overtime period but Elon slowly took control towards the end of the final period.

“We’re very fortunate to win a basketball game tonight,” Head Coach Ernie Nestor said. “We gad the game in pretty good order and then we inflicted some unforced turnovers.”

Elon was led by four players in double figures. Senior Jackson Atoyebi scored a team-leading 13 points, while LeVonn Jordan and Scottie Rice chipped in with 12 points each. Jordan finished the game with ten rebounds to go along with his 12 points and recorded the double-double. In Montell Watson’s first game back since Jan. 23 he was only able to record three points and had five turnovers, as he never looked comfortable. But yet again the Phoenix were led by a strong defensive effort and held a potent Spartan offense to only 40 percent shooting from the field.

UNC-Greensboro forward Kyle Hines led all scorers with 21 and led the game with six blocks. He also cleaned up the boards for the Spartans with nine rebounds.

Elon showed a much needed resilience, a feature that is needed in the deep rounds of the playoffs.

“Coach told us to do the things that got us here,” Atoyebi said. “Take care of the ball, take good shots, play solid defense and get rebounds.”

The Phoenix will face off against Davidson.

In other Southern Conference action, Appalachian State upset the No. 1 seed Georgia Southern and No. 5 Chattanooga knocked off the College of Charleston Cougars.

Contact Justin Hite at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.