Looking to run its record to 3-0 for the first time since the 1991-1992 season, the Elon University men's basketball team fell victim to a late run on the road at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 83-69 Friday, Nov. 15.
The game, the third meeting between the two, got out of hand late in the second half when the 49ers went on an 18-0 run to down the Phoenix.
Unlike the first two games of the season, Elon sophomore guard Tanner Samson did not get off to a roaring start from behind the three-point line. However, his three-pointer nearly halfway through the first half to put Elon up 18-6. The 12-point margin was Elon's largest lead of the game. Out of a Charlotte timeout, the 49ers fought back to trail by one less than two minutes later.
The two teams went to the halftime break tied at 32. Elon shot just 27 percent from behind the three-point line in the half, shooting just 4 of 15. However, Elon did damage on the defensive end and turned 49ers mistakes into points, as the Phoenix had 14 points on 11 turnovers. Charlotte had six points on five Elon turnovers.
After a made three-point shot from senior forward Lucas Troutman, the first of his career at Elon, the 49ers grabbed the lead after a layup with 6:53 to play. In that final 6:53, Charlotte went on a 25-13 run to close out the Phoenix.
Four players finished in double figures for Elon. Junior guard Austin Hamilton led Elon with 19 points. He fell one point of tying his career-high of 20. Samson and senior guard Sebastian Koch has 12 points each. Senior forward Ryley Beaumont finished with 11 points. He fouled out down the stretch, which didn't help Elon's comeback effort.
Sophomore guard Shawn Jester led all players in the contest with 24 points. He also pulled down 11 rebounds. Sophomore forward Willie Clayton finished with 12 points and 11 rebound. Overall, Charlotte out-rebounded Elon 47-26. The 49ers brought down 12 offensive rebounds and scored 16 points on second chances.
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Elon was outworked in the paint, too, as the 49ers won the battle inside 42-28.
Senior guard Jack Isenbarger was dressed and warmed up before the game, but ultimately did not play in the contest. He has yet to see the floor this season because of a stress reaction in his foot. Isenbarger started practicing on a limited basis after Elon's season-opening win.
Elon returns to action Nov. 18 against Drexel University in the Preseason NIT Tip-Off event in Piscataway, N.J. The winner of that contest will take on the winner of Rutgers University and Canisius College for the chance to go to Madison Square Garden the following week.
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