Elon Men’s Basketball Holds Off Eagles for Seventh Straight Win

STATESBORO, Ga. – Elon’s Lucas Troutman and Jack Isenbarger both reached career milestones in a 66-61 victory at Georgia Southern on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Hanner Fieldhouse in Statesboro, Ga.

Troutman scored a game-high 20 points and moved into tenth place all-time in career scoring, passing for Elon great Clarence “Diffy” Ross. Troutman now has 1,571 career points.

Isenbarger came into the game needing five three-pointers to pass Chris Kiger for the most makes from beyond the arc in school history, but finished the game with four to sit tied with Kiger atop Elon’s all-time threes chart. Isenbarger scored 14 points in the win.

Winners of seven straight, Elon improves to 17-11 (10-3 Southern Conference) with the win.

“We’re happy to come out with a victory today,” said Elon head coach Matt Matheny. “I thought we played well, particularly on defense, and battled for all 40 minutes today. Our goal every game is to keep the opposing team under 40 percent and we were able to accomplish that.”

Elon won the battle on the boards, 38-34, and held the Eagles to 39 percent shooting from the field. Elon improves to 8-0 this season when the opposition shoots below 40 percent.

Tanner Samson was the third Phoenix player in double digits, ending the game with 12 points. Samson also hauled down seven boards.

Samson pushed the Phoenix out to a 10-point lead with 6:50 left in the opening frame after the sophomore buried a three from the far wing to give his team a 28-18 edge.

The Phoenix carried a seven-point lead, 34-27, at the break after shooting 48 percent from the field and winning the rebounding battle, 22-17. Troutman led all scorers with 11 points in the first 20 minutes, going 5-of-7 from the field.

Georgia Southern made it a two-point game with 14:27 remaining in the second half following a Curtis Diamond jumper that limited Elon to a 45-43 lead. But the Phoenix responded with back-to-back baskets by Austin Hamilton and Troutman to reclaim a six-point edge.

With 4:54 left, Georgia Southern’s Brian Holmes tripled from deep to bring the Eagles back within one, 56-55, but Isenbarger answered with a three in the corner on the next possession, putting Elon back up by four.

The Phoenix kept the Eagles at arm’s length from there, securing its fourth straight road win.

Elon wraps up its three-game road swing on Monday night, Feb. 24, at Furman. Monday’s game was originally supposed to be played on Feb. 12, but was postponed due to snow.