ELON, N.C. – Just one regular season game remains for the Elon University men’s basketball team, as the Phoenix hosts the UNC Greensboro Spartans on Saturday night, March 2. Tip is set for 7 p.m. inside Alumni Gym. Prior to the game, Elon will honor seniors Josh Bonney, Roger Dugas, John Moody and Aaron Smith, as they take Robertson Court for the final time in their careers.
Elon (19-10, 12-5 SoCon) vs. UNCG (8-20, 6-11 SoCon)
Site: Elon, N.C.
Arena (Capacity): Alumni Gym (1,607)
Series: Elon leads, 20-13
Last Meeting: Jan. 31, 2013, at UNCG – Elon won, 72-66
THE SERIES: Saturday night marks the 34th all-time meeting between Elon and UNC Greensboro. Elon leads the series, 20-13, and has won six straight against the Spartans. Since joining the Southern Conference, Elon is 11-9 against UNCG. In games played on Elon’s campus, the Phoenix has a 13-6 mark and has won three straight. Elon’s last loss to UNCG on its home court was Jan. 17, 2009. The last time the two teams met inside Alumni Gym was Feb. 25, 2012, behind a then record crowd of 1,804, as the Phoenix came away with a 93-79 win.
LAST MEETING: The Phoenix claimed a 72-66 over the Spartans on Jan. 31, 2013, inside the Greensboro Coliseum. Jack Isenbarger hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:31 remaining, his only field goal make of the game, to give Elon a two-point lead late against the Spartans. The maroon and gold buckled down on defense from that point forward, forcing a Trevis Simpson turnover to retain the lead and hold on for the win down the stretch. Lucas Troutman led Elon with 19 points in the win.
LOOKING BACK: Key free throws down the stretch proved to be the difference on Wednesday night, Feb. 27, as the Phoenix fell to South Division leader Davidson, 69-63. Elon trailed by two points with 17.9 seconds remaining after a Jack Isenbarger triple, but were forced into a must-foul situation in the waning moments. Isenbarger led the Phoenix with 18 points, while Davidson’s Chris Czerapowicz led all players with 20 points.
LOOKING AHEAD: Following Saturday’s regular-season finale, Elon treks to Asheville, N.C., for the 2013 Southern Conference Tournament. The Phoenix locked up the North Division title and the tournament’s No. 2 seed last week at Samford. Elon will play its first game on Saturday, March 9, at 6 p.m. against an opponent to be determined. The game will be aired live on ESPN3.
BLOCK PARTY: With four blocks against Davidson on Feb. 27, Lucas Troutman set the Elon single-season record. Troutman now has 59 blocks this season, good for first in the Southern Conference. The previous single-season high was 55, accomplished by Joel Sargent during the 1996-97 season.