BOONE, N.C. – The Elon University men’s basketball team did not have the greatest track record at Appalachian State University.

With only one win to show in its last ten trips to Boone, N.C., the Phoenix’s task Saturday afternoon, Feb. 1, was more difficult than it appeared on paper.

By the time the final buzzer had sounded, history meant nothing to the Phoenix as Elon walked away with an 83-76 win to sweep the season series from the Mountaineers.

Elon never trailed after the 17:22 mark of the first half, when Appalachian State led, 6-4. A three-pointer from senior forward Ryley Beaumont at the 16:19 mark of the half gave Elon a 9-6 lead, which they would hold for the remainder of the contest.

For a team that thrived on the three-pointer early in the season, Elon had struggled of late from long distance. Saturday saw a return to greatness from behind the arc, as the Phoenix nailed 11 threes. In one stretch from 16:19 to 10:06 of the second half, four of five Elon baskets were threes – two from senior guard Jack Isenbarger.

Isenbarger would go on to make two more threes in the opening half, including one to extend the lead out to 35-22 with 4:57 left. Beaumont converted a layup as time expired in the first half to send Elon into the locker room with a 45-34 lead.

Appalachian State junior guard Mike Neal hit a three-pointer at the 16:41 mark of the second half to cut the lead to 50-44, but Elon responded with a 13-2 run to push the lead back out to 17 points. The Mountaineers would cut the lead down to eight points with 7:10 remaining, but senior guard Sebastian Koch answered with a three-pointer for Elon to halt Appalachian State’s momentum.

Over the game’s final few minutes, Appalachian State was unable to build a run and Elon pulled away with free throws. Neal hit a three pointer with a second left to make the final score appear closer than it really was.

Senior forward Lucas Troutman led Elon with 21 points, and Koch followed with 17. Isenbarger and Beaumont had 14 points each.

Appalachian State sophomore guard Chris Burgess led the Mountaineers in scoring with 19 points and Neal followed with 17.

Elon improves to 12-11, 5-3 in the Southern Conference, while Appalachian State falls to 6-15, 2-6 in the SoCon. The Phoenix will return to the court Thursday, Feb. 6, with a home game against the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.