ELON, N.C. – Behind a barrage of three pointers, the Elon University men’s basketball team won its eighth consecutive home opener on Tuesday night, Nov. 13, defeating the Bridgewater Eagles, 95-51, inside Alumni Gym.
Elon (1-1) knocked down 16 shots from beyond the arc as a team, led by six from Sebastian Koch and five from Jack Isenbarger. Isenbarger led all players with 19 points, while Koch finished the night with 18.
Elon’s 16 makes from three-point land are the most since the Phoenix connected on the same amount against UNCG and Lynchburg during the 2010-11 season. The 44-point margin of victory is the largest for Elon in a home opener since the 1917-18 season when Elon beat Atlanta Christian, 66-11. Elon is now 12-2 in home openers during the Division I era.
“I thought we were the aggressor for all 40 minutes tonight at both ends of the floor,” said Elon head coach Matt Matheny. “We played with intensity to start the game and carried it throughout the second half. Moving forward, we saw some great things tonight and I’m excited about hosting the Maui on the Mainland this weekend on our home court.”
Including Isenbarger and Koch, Elon put four players in double figures as Lucas Troutman and Ryley Beaumont finshed the game with 18 and 15 points, respectively.
Tanner Samson recorded a game-high six assists to go along with eight points in 23 minutes, while Ryan Winters led all players with six boards.
Elon outrebounded Bridgewater, 38-30, and forced the Eagles into 25 turnovers. As a team, the Phoenix shot 53 percent from the field and 71 percent (15-of-21) from the free throw line.
Troutman put the maroon and gold faithful on its feet with a pair of monster dunks in the first half, including a throw-down at the 11:28 mark to give Elon a 28-13 lead.
The Phoenix carried a 30-point lead, 58-28, at intermission, shooting 63 percent in the opening frame. Elon knocked down 20-of-32 field goals in the first 20 minutes, including 10-of-18 shots from beyond the arc. Troutman and Isenbarger both registered a game-high 16 points in the first half.
Koch came out with the hot hand to start the second half, hitting three straight from three to give the Phoenix a 37-point cushion with 17:28 remaining. Elon went ahead by as many as 45 points in the second period.
Elon continues its three-game homestand with the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Regional Games this weekend, Nov. 17-18, in Alumni Gym. The Phoenix hosts Colgate to open the Regional Games on Saturday at 2 p.m. before facing either Coppin State or Florida Atlantic a day later in the championship or consolation game at 4:30 p.m.