ELON, N.C. — Elon fans will have the chance to enjoy Southern Conference men’s basketball action this week when the North Division-leading Phoenix returns home to host league foes on Thursday and Saturday. The Samford Bulldogs will visit Alumni Gym first, coming from Alabama to face off against the Phoenix on Thursday, January 19 for a 7 p.m. tip. Elon earned its first-ever win against Samford in last season’s meeting on Robertson Court. Fans will also be treated to Elon’s a cappella group, Twisted Measure, which will sing the National Anthem and then perform at halftime of the contest.
Site: Elon, N.C.
Arena: Alumni Gym
Series: Samford leads, 5-1
Streak: Samford has won one
Radio: WPCM 920 AM — Taylor Durham and Dick Stewart will call the action
FREE THROWS
• Elon is 5-2 at Alumni Gym this year but has lost its last two games on Robertson Court.
• With a 3-2 Southern Conference record, the Phoenix is currently in first place in the North Division.
• The Phoenix has been struggling from the field as of late, connecting on above 40 percent from the field only once in the last seven games. The long ball has not been dropping for Elon either as the Phoenix is shooting 49-168 (29.2 percent) from long ranges over the last seven contests.
• Elon has held opponents to under 40 percent shooting in all eight wins this year — but opponents have shot 40 percent or better in all but one of the eight losses. The Phoenix ranks second in the SoCon in field goal percentage defense (.399). Opponents are shooting only 29.5 percent from three-point territory.
• Senior Drew Spradlin has preyed on SoCon opponents during his career, averaging 11.2 ppg over his three and a half years. He has hit 89 triples against league foes and shoots 42 percent from the field.
• Lucas Troutman moved into Elon’s all-time career blocks list with two swats against South Carolina. He is averaging 1.6 bpg, second in the league. The sophomore now has 72 blocks in a year and a half of action and is in seventh place all-time at Elon.
• The Phoenix has shot better than its opponent in all eight wins this year but has won the battle on the glass only three times this season.
LAST TIME OUT
• The Phoenix shot a season-low 23.9 percent from the field in a 63-44 loss at College of Charleston on Saturday, January 14. The 44 points were the lowest by an Elon team since a 31-point showing at Samford on December 4, 2009.
• Elon averages eight three-pointers a game, but connected on just three at CofC. The three triples were the lowest total since managing only two three-pointers against Wofford on January 9, 2010.
• Elon was still within 10 at halftime despite shooting 6-of-23 (18.2 percent), but CofC shot 42.9 percent in the second half and finished with a 55-39 advantage in the rebounding column.
• Ten players scored for Elon for the second straight game, but no player reached double figures.
ELON VS. SAMFORD
• Elon has only beaten Samford once in six meetings with that victory coming last season at Alumni Gym. Drew Spradlin scored 26 points, hitting 11-of-14 from the free throw line in the 67-54 victory.
• In the win, Elon built an 18-point advantage at the half, holding the Bulldogs to seven field goals and outrebounding the visitors 22-10 in the first 20 minutes.
• Samford picked up its first league victory of the year last Saturday against Chattanooga. Jeffrey Merritt nearly tallied a triple-double with 12 rebounds, nine assists and seven points in the win.