Charleston defeats Elon 81-85
Charleston Edges Elon in Thrilling Conference Showdown, 85-81
In a tightly contested conference matchup, the Charleston Cougars visited the Elon Phoenix at their home turf, Schar Center, and emerged victorious with a 4-point win, 85-81.
The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip-off, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a decisive advantage. At halftime, the away team led by just 8 points, 33-41, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
Charleston's Martin Kalu led the charge in the second half, scoring 14 of his 19 points after intermission, including several clutch three-pointers that helped keep Elon at bay. On the other side, Bryson Cokley paced the Phoenix with 23 points, including 4 three-pointers, but was unable to lead his team to a comeback victory.
The largest lead of the game came when Elon held a 2-point advantage early in the second half, but Charleston responded with a 14-0 run that put them up by as many as 14. Although Elon managed to trim the deficit to 4 points with just over a minute remaining, Charleston's defense held strong, allowing only one final bucket before time expired.
Game Flow
The game was marked by several key moments, including two instances where Elon had its largest lead – 2 and 14 points. However, each time, Charleston responded with a decisive run that kept the momentum in their favor.
In terms of advanced statistics, both teams shot well from beyond the arc, with Charleston's true shooting percentage coming in at 59.2% and Elon's at 52.7%. The Phoenix also dominated the rebounding battle, grabbing 32 boards compared to Charleston's 43.
Post-Game Analysis
Charleston's win marks their third conference victory of the season, while Elon falls to 2-4. Despite the loss, the Phoenix showed resilience and determination in the face of adversity, a testament to the team's growth and development throughout the season.
For Charleston, this win cements their position as a top contender for the league title, and sets them up for a pivotal matchup against another ranked opponent next week.