ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men’s basketball team plays its final non-conference game of the regular season on Saturday, Jan. 5, when the Phoenix welcomes the Ivy League’s Princeton to Alumni Gym for a noon tip.
THE SERIES: Elon holds a 1-0 all-time record against the Princeton Tigers. In the only meeting between the two schools last season on Nov. 22 at Princeton, the Phoenix came away with a one-point win, 56-55. Elon staved off a late run by the Tigers, including a last-second heave by Douglas Davis, to escape Jadwin Gym with a victory. Drew Spradlin led Elon with 13 points in the win, while Sebastian Koch and Egheosa Edomwonyi chipped in 11 and 10, respectively.
ELON VS. THE IVY LEAGUE: Saturday is Elon’s third game this season against a member of the Ivy League. The Phoenix defeated Dartmouth, 71-49, on Dec. 4 in Alumni Gym before a thrilling 70-69 victory at Columbia on Dec. 22 behind Jack Isenbarger’s game-winning three. Elon is 4-4 all-time against members of the Ivy League, with all of its wins coming against teams on this year’s schedule. Elon has also played Brown (0-1) and Yale (0-1).
LOOKING BACK: The Phoenix put four players in double figures in an 84-49 blowout victory over Manchester on Dec. 31. Ryley Beaumont recorded his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 boards, while #Austin Hamilton dished out a career-high nine assists. In all, Elon put 12 players in the scoring column, as Kevin Blake, Aaron Smith and John Moody all reached career-high scoring marks.
LOOKING AHEAD: Following Saturday’s game against Princeton, the Phoenix jumps back into Southern Conference play next weekend with a pair of games in the mountains versus Appalachian State (Jan. 12) and Western Carolina (Jan. 14).
HOME COOKING: Dating back to last year’s home finale win over UNCG, Elon has won six of its last seven games inside the friendly confines of Alumni Gym. Over its last seven games at home, Elon is averaging 77.1 points per game and holding opponents to 59.3 points per game for a +17.8 margin of victory.
ELON BASKETBALL LIVE: The Elon Basketball Live Radio Show makes its debut on Tuesday night, Jan. 8, at Town Table. Hear the latest on Phoenix hoops from head coach Matt Matheny and select players from 6-7 p.m.