Phoenix defeat Colgate and Florida Atlantic to win the weekend tourney sponsored by EA Sports at Alumni Gym.
Elon’s men’s basketball team won both games of the EA Sports Maui Invitational Regional Games at Alumni Gym on Nov. 17 and 18.
Saturday, the Phoenix beat Colgate University 81-72, and Sunday they defeated Florida Atlantic University in overtime, 62-59. Lucas Troutman was named the tournament MVP.
CLICK HERE to see a photo gallery from the Sunday game.
The tournament gave fans the chance to get in the spirit of Hawaii, with many wearing floral shirts, swim trunks and leis. A surf board was used to promote the tournament and teams posed for photos with the board at mid-court before the tournament began.
The EA SPORTS Maui Invitational is celebrating its 29th year as the nation’s premier early-season men’s college basketball tournament. In 2011, the Tournament expanded from eight teams to 12. The number of Tournament games also increased from 12 games, played on the Island of Maui, to 23 games, which include 11 games played on the U.S. mainland. The expanded Tournament format is played in three parts: Opening Games, Regional Games and the Championship Round. Last year’s Regional Games were hosted by East Tennessee State University.
In all, 85 schools representing 21 conferences and 38 states have competed in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. Maui participants have won an astounding 55 of 71 NCAA championships, 55 of 71 national runner-up spots and comprise 214 of 284 Final Four teams.