March 7, 2008

Box Score

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Brett James led Elon with 16 total points as the Phoenix defeated Furman 52-37 in the first round of the Southern Conference men's basketball tournament.

The two teams kept the score tight in a first half that featured three ties and three lead changes. Furman took a 19-12 lead, their biggest of the half, at the 4:44 mark, but allowed Elon to tie the score at 19 heading into the break.

In the second half, Elon jumped out to a seven point lead in the first two minutes, and led by as many as eleven at the 9:30 mark. The Phoenix earned the 52-37 win, with the Paladins' last basket coming at the three-minute mark.

The Phoenix were led by James' 16 points, while Montell Watson added 10 to the winning effort, and Ola Atoyebi notched 10 rebounds.

Senior George Brozos led the Paladins with 8 total points, while Connor Nolte and Justin Dehm contributed seven apiece. Nolte also led the team with 8 rebounds. The Phoenix defense held the Paladins to 23 percent (10-43) shooting from the field, including shooting 4-17 from beyond the arc.

With the win, Elon improves to 12-18 on the season, and advances to face second-seeded Chattanooga, while Furman ends the season with a 7-23 overall record.