The Elon University men’s basketball team ended its seven-game losing streak on Saturday, Feb. 21 against the University of Delaware Blue Hens 83-75 in an overtime victory.
Senior guard Kevin Blake led the Phoenix in scoring with 18 points, including a career-high five three-pointers — all coming in the second half. Blake was one of four different players for Elon who registered double-digit points. Senior guard Austin Hamilton and junior guard Tanner Samson each scored 16 points while freshman guard Elijah Bryant had 10 points of his own.
The Phoenix converted 14 three-pointers — the most the team has had all season — and the most since the NIT Season Tip-Off last year.
The first half was very close between the teams as both Elon and Delaware traded leads in the last 10 minutes. The Phoenix was previously down by 11 in the opening minutes of the game.
Sophomore forward Christian Hairston tied the game at 33-all with 1:34 left to play in the first half after converting a three-point play from getting fouled under the rim. The Blue Hens took a two-point lead just before the half when Kyle Anderson hit a three-pointer to give Delaware a 38-36 lead as both teams entered its locker rooms.
Kevin Blake and the Phoenix came out hot at the start of the second half as the senior sank his first shot from beyond the arc at the 9:44 mark to give Elon a 67-65 lead.
With under a minute left to play in regulation, Chivarsky Corbett hit a shot to tie the game at 74-74. With Austin Hamilton unable to make a jumper with 28.2 seconds left, the game went to overtime.
In the extra period, Tanner Samson nailed his fourth three-pointer of the game to put the Phoenix up by three with 2:29 remaining. Elon held Delaware to no field goals for the entire overtime period as the Phoenix held on to defeat the Blue Hens by eight.
Elon will wrap up its regular season with two more home games at Alumni Gym starting on Thursday, Feb. 26 against Northeastern University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.