Elon Men’s Basketball Heads to Miami to Face FIU

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men’s basketball team heads to Miami for their first-ever contest against Florida International University (FIU) on Friday night, Dec. 4, in FIU Arena at 7 p.m.

You can listen to the game live on WSML 104.5 FM/1200 AM with Taylor Durham and Ryan Meizinger on the call on the Elon IMG Sports Network. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT
An improbable 8-0 run with 18.9 seconds remaining in regulation by the Elon University men’s basketball led to a thrilling 103-93 overtime victory versus Kennesaw State on Monday, Nov. 30, in non-conference action from Alumni Gym.

Tanner Samson led the way for the Phoenix (4-3) with career-highs of 31 points and 11 rebounds for his third-career double-double. Christian Hairston also had a career night, recording his second-career double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Luke Eddy and Dainan Swoope also finished in double figures with 12 and 13 points respectively. Eddy recorded a team-high five assists on the night.

Trailing 89-81 with 18.9 seconds on the clock, Luke Eddy scored a layup to limit KSU to an 89-83 lead. After two missed free throws by the Owls, Dainan Swoope nailed a three pointer with seven seconds remaining to pull the Phoenix within three, 89-86.

Still trailing by three with five seconds left, Samson stole the inbound pass, knocking the ball into the hands of Eddy. From there, Eddy drew a foul on a three-point attempt with one second remaining to earn three tries at the stripe. The junior made all three free throws, sending the game into overtime. The Phoenix outscored the Owls 14-4 in the overtime period to complete the unbelievable 103-93 comeback victory.

SAMSON MILESTONES
Tanner Samson became the program’s 39th 1,000-point scorer after scoring 23 points against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday, Nov. 27. Samson currently sits at 262 career triples, good for second in program history. He moved past Chris Kiger who is third all-time with 259 he trails Jack Isenbarger who is first all-time with 264 made treys. His 693 career three-point attempts is second all-time and his 37.8 percent three-point percentage is seventh in program history.

MATHENY 7TH ALL-TIME
Now in his seventh season with the Phoenix, coach Matheny earned his 96th career win at Elon against Kennesaw State and is in sole possession of seventh on the all-time coaching wins list in program history ahead of Horace Hendrickson (1937-42). He is just five wins away from tying Bill Morningstar (1979-86) who is sixth all-time with 101 career victories. Mark Simons (1993-2003) is currently fifth all-time with 109 victories.

301 AND COUNTING
The Elon men’s basketball program has made at least one three-point field goal in 301 consecutive games (not including exhibition games). The last time Elon did not make a three in a game was Jan. 30, 2006, at Georgia Southern when the team went 0-of-14 from deep. Elon hit its 300th consecutive game making a trey on Nov. 27 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

LET IT FLY
This season, 35.8 percent of Elon’s made baskets have come from behind the three point line. The Phoenix is shooting 32.5 percent from deep and are averaging 9.4 threes a game. Samson has a team-high 20 made treys this season, while Dainan Swoope is right behind him with 19. Nine other Phoenix have made a bucket from deep this season.

UP NEXT
The Phoenix returns home after a week off to begin a three-game home stand starting on Sunday, Dec. 13 against the Wesley College Wolverines at 7 p.m. in Alumni Gym. Elon will then host Alabama State on Wednesday, Dec. 16, followed by UNCG on Friday, Dec. 19.