Elon University sophomore guard Jack Isenbarger had eighteen points, including a perfect 9-9 on free throws, and the Phoenix defeated Georgia Southern University 65-58 Saturday night in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Southern Conference Tournament in Asheville, N.C.
With the victory, the Phoenix advances to face Davidson College Sunday at 8:30 p.m. in the semifinals.
The Phoenix got nine points and six rebounds from sophomore forward Lucas Troutman. Sophomore forward Ryley Beaumont had nine points and three rebounds and senior guard Drew Spradlin added eight points. Junior forward Brett Ervin contributed seven points and six rebounds off the bench for Elon.
Georgia Southern sophomore guard/forward Eric Ferguson had a game-high 21 points and nine rebounds, shooting 7-10 from the field and 7-11 from the free-throw line to lead the Eagles. Senior guard Willie Powers III added 10 points and six assists.
The game was close for most of the night. The Phoenix led 31-27 at halftime, but Georgia Southern tied the score at 48 when Eagles' senior guard Ben Drayton III knocked down a three-pointer with 8:57 left in the second half. But eight straight Phoenix points gave Elon a 54-48 lead with 6:21 remaining, a lead they never relinquished.
With freshman guard Austin Hamilton and Isenbarger finding foul trouble throughout the game, junior guard Josh Bonney played a season-high 20 minutes and scored six key points, adding a team-high four assists.
Elon has faced Davidson once this season, losing a 66-45 decision to the Wildcats in the penultimate game of the season Feb. 23. Davidson defeated Furman University 73-54 earlier in the day.