Thompson and Strong First Half Leads Elon Men’s Basketball Past Charlotte, 85-74

CHARLOTTE – Dimitri Thompson scored a career-high 21 points and a strong first half from the Phoenix led the Elon University men’s basketball team to an 85-74 season opening win against the Charlotte 49ers on Friday, Nov. 13, at Halton Arena.

In addition to Thompson’s 21 points for Elon (1-0), Tanner Samson (12), Tyler Seibring (11) and Dainan Swoope (11) all scored in double-figures for the Phoenix. Luke Eddychipped in a game-high eight assists and Thompson grabbed eight rebounds to led the way on the boards.

“It’s one win and a great win to start the season,” said head coach Matt Matheny. “I thought we played very well in the first half. We came out and played well at the start of the second half, and got a little bit sloppy after that.”

Highlights
Elon got off to a flying start in the first five minutes with a 10-1 run. Dainan Swoope capped off the run draining a three-point basket at the 15:50 mark. Charlotte’s first bucket was at 15:25 in the half on a layup by Ridell Camige.

A 16-6 run over the next five minutes to pull out to a 26-9 lead after a layup on a nice backdoor cut by Christian Hairston with 9:45 in the first. The Phoenix completed the half outscoring the 49ers 27-20 the rest of the way holding Charlotte to 27.3 percent shooting from the field for the 53-26 lead at the break.

In the second half, Elon opened with an 8-0 run and Dmitri Thompon drove in for a layup at the 17:33 for a 63-26 lead. The 37-point cushion was the largest lead of the game for the Phoenix.

Charlotte went on a 15-2 run to bring the game within 19 points at 77-58 with 4:15 left to play. Seibring responded with a layup in the paint at the 3:26 mark to give Elon a 78-58 lead.

The 49ers chipped away into the Phoenix lead in the final three minutes, but Elon held on for the 85-74 victory to open the season.

Notes
– With the win over Charlotte, it’s the first season-opening road win for the Phoenix since the 2009-10 season at Lipscomb.
– It is the first time that Elon has won three-straight season openers in the Division I era.
– First time the program has won three consecutive home openers since the 1992-93 team.
– With his 93rd win, coach Matheny ties Horace Hendrickson for seventh all-time in program history.
– Elon shot 57.6 percent (19-33) from the field, including a blistering 58.3 percent (7-12) from behind the arc in the first half to take a 53-26 advantage.
– With his 12 points tonight, Taanner Samson now has 954 career points and is now 46 away from becoming the 39th Elon player to reach 1,000 career points.

Up Next
Elon is on the road on Monday, Nov. 16, to take on the No. 25-ranked Michigan Wolverines at the Crisler Center. Tipoff on ESPN3 is set for 7 p.m. The Phoenix return to Alumni Gym on Wednesday, Nov. 18, for the home opener against Belmont Abbey at 7 p.m.