ELON, N.C. – Tanner Samson recorded his first career double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Elon University men’s basketball team to a 117-73 victory over Central Pennsylvania on Sunday, Dec. 7, at Alumni Gym.
Samson was one of four players in double figures, as Elon captured its third straight win to improve to 5-3 on the year. Today marked Elon’s second straight game with 100+ points, the first such occurrence since the 1982-83 season.
“It’s always a tough game when your players are in the middle of exams,” said Elon head coach Matt Matheny. “Watching film from this game last year, we challenge our guys to be locked in and ready. Down the stretch in the first half, we had a great segment and really started the second half strong. We pushed the ball well today and converted well from defense to offense.”
Kevin Blake finished with a career-high 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting to go along with four boards and four assists, while Dmitri Thompson pitched in 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting. Luke Eddy was the fourth Phoenix in double figures, finishing with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including a 3-of-4 clip from deep.
Samson led the Phoenix to a 56-41 lead at the half, sinking seven first-half threes for a game-high 21 points. Elon shot 55 percent as a team in the opening frame and limited the Knights to a 39-percent clip from the field.
It was all Elon in the second session, as the Phoenix went on a 31-10 run over a 10-minute stretch to turn an 18-lead into a 39-point lead with 8:58 to play in the game.
The Phoenix shot 61 percent (47-of-77) from the floor, including a 12-of-27 mark from deep. Seven of Elon’s 12 makes from beyond the arc came off the hand of Samson.
Elon plays its first of four straight on the road on Dec. 11 at Missouri. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. (EST) and the game will be broadcasted live on the SEC Network.