The Elon University men’s basketball team defeated Towson in an exciting game that featured 10 ties and 14 lead changes. It was an impressive victory for the Phoenix who recently defeated University of North Carolina, Wilmington on the road. This marks consecutive wins for Elon over the CAA’s top two teams.
Elon struggled defensively in the beginning as Towson built a 20-15 lead thanks to 12 points from redshirt sophomore Dylan Williamson.
However, they were able to claw back thanks to junior guard TK Simpkins who started 3/3 from 3-point range. He accounted for most of Elon’s scoring in the first half, tallying 16 of its 39 points.
Simpkins said he was able to start strong through having confidence in his jump shot.
“I’ve been trusting my jump shot and just try to open up the game more for everybody,” Simpkins said.
Junior TK Simpkins makes a layup in the paint in a game against Towson on Feb. 20 in Schar Center.
The Phoenix also implemented a full-court press midway through the first half that neutralized Towson’s offense. Throughout the last 11 minutes, Towson shot 7-20.
The Phoenix led by as many as five points before Towson scored on a last second putback by Towson graduate forward Messiah Jones which cut the lead to 39-36 at halftime.
Sophomore guard TJ Simpkins said the strategy was part of the team’s gameplan in trying to force quicker decisions.
“We always try to speed guys up,” TJ said. “We got the guys to play hard and we trust our backcourt.”
Towson did manage to generate scoring in the second half. Towson went on a 10-0 run to go up 46-41. Elon turned the ball over four times during that period.
But like the first half, the Phoenix quickly battled back to tie the game with tough defense and baskets by TK and redshirt freshman Brayden Crump.
Both teams then struggled to gain momentum offensively, combining for just 23 points throughout the next 10 minutes.
Elon trailed 61-58 with four minutes left before the Simpkins brothers went on their own 8-0 run to put the Phoenix up by five with just over a minute and a half remaining. TK gave Elon the lead for good with a tough basket at the 2:50 mark, while TJ’s free throws sealed a 69-63 win.
Sophomore TJ Simpkins dribbles the ball, eyeing on how to pass it to. Elon's mens basketball team played against Towson on Feb. 20th in Schar Center. The Phoenix won 69 - 63.
Both TK and TJ combined for 47 points in the game, scoring 28 and 19, respectively. It was more than half of Elon’s total output as a team. For TK, the performance comes after scoring 32 points against UNCW.
TK said he continued to gain confidence as the game progressed.
“I just felt like everything was going in,” TK said.
It was an impressive shooting night for the Phoenix as the team shot almost 40% from three. Towson’s defense had only given up 30% of 3-point shots before tonight.
Head coach Billy Taylor said Elon did a great job freeing up space for players to get open looks behind the 3-point arc.
“I thought our screeners did a great job getting space for our guys to have some clean looks at threes,” Taylor said. “We also got a couple in transition as well as offensive rebounds, and TK was able to make some miraculous ones too.”
The victory marks an impressive two game stretch for the Phoenix. They’ve now beaten the top two teams in the CAA despite losing their leading scorer Nick Dorn to an injury. This is also following a stretch where Elon went 1-5 in its previous six games.
TK said the team’s resilience comes from everyone putting in hard work.
“Everyday we’re competing in practice,” Simpkins said. “I feel like everyone knows their role and plays hard.”
Taylor said it takes a lot to respond from a tough stretch against teams such as Towson and UNCW.
“I’m really proud of them because some teams don’t respond the right way when things get tough,” Taylor said. “These guys remained positive, made adjustments, and they found a way to win.”
Senior Sam Sherry, Sophomore Kendall Campbell and other players gather for a quick huddle before resuming the game against Towson on Feb. 20 in Schar Center.
The win improves Elon’s record to 17-11 which gives it the most wins in a season since the 2016-2017 season, when it won 18 games.
Taylor said it’s important Elon understands what has contributed to their success with three games left before the CAA Tournament.
“We have to know what’s giving us success,” Taylor said. “From a defensive standpoint, it’s staying connected, contesting shots, and rebounding. Offensively, it’s moving the ball side-to-side and sharing it. We’re just going to continue preaching those same things to our guys.”
Elon will play its final home game of the season against William & Mary at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at Schar Center.