CCU

Strong First Half Propels Elon Over CCU

       

Strong First Half Propels Elon Over CCU

ELON, N.C. — Brendon Rowell poured in a season-high 24 points as Elon dispatched Coastal Carolina 91-80 at Alumni Gym Monday night, claiming its second 3-0 start in Big South Conference play in three years.

Ross Sims chipped in 19 points and Gary Marsh added a career-best 18 markers for the Phoenix (7-8 overall). Rowell (8-of-16), Sims (8-of-11) and Marsh (8-of-12) all turned in key shooting performances as Elon fired 50.8 percent (33-of-65) from the field.

The Phoenix jumped all over the Chanticleers (2-11, 0-2) early, soaring to a commanding 43-13 advantage with 3:37 remaining in the first half. Coastal Carolina went on to fire 61.3-percent from the field in the second stanza after hitting just 28.0-percent in the first, but it proved to be too little, too late.

The closest that the Chants would come to the Phoenix was the contest's final margin when Brandon Newby sank a three-point bucket with nine ticks left. CCU was led by Derrick Robinson (21 points, game-high nine rebounds), Newby (20 points), Antonio Darden (17 points) and Anthony Susnjara (10 points).

Chris Adams and Jackson Atoyebi each hauled in seven rebounds as Elon won the battle of the boards 38-29. The Phoenix also claimed advantages in field goal marksmanship (50.8 percent-46.4), turnovers (17-21) and steals (13-6). Both teams connected on 22 of 28 free throw attempts for 78.6-percent accuracy.

Elon stood at 1-2 after its first three Big South games last year on its way to a 4-10 finish in league play. During the 1999-2000 campaign, its first season in the Big South, the Phoenix started 3-0 before ending up 7-7.

Elon, 6-1 at home so far this season, leaves the friendly confines of Alumni Gym to challenge three-time defending Big South champion Winthrop at 7 p.m. on the road Saturday. Coastal will host Radford University at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.