Four Elon Phoenix score in double digits to beat the USF Bulls, 74-61. The first half deficits were too much for the Bulls to overcome, just tying the scoring in the second half at 35 apiece. The Phoenix, who were picked to be the 8th best team in the Colonial Conference, never really seemed challenged by USF.
The Bulls were the first to get on the scoreboard in the game, a three point shot by Troy Holston. They would hold on to their lead until 13:00 remained in the first half, when Dainan Swoope would sink a three of his own, to send Elon up 14-12. The Pheonix would then go on a 10-0 scoring spree until just over eight minutes remained in the half. Bulls’ guard, Michael Bibby would end the drought with a jumper to bring the Bulls to within ten, 24-14. The Phoenix would pull away again, going into the halftime break with a 39-26 lead. After the first seven minutes of the half, USF never led.
Early in the second half, the Phoenix began to build on their lead. Three different times, Elon would get up by 21 points. The Bulls made several runs, but they were never able to get back the 13 point deficit they gave up in the first half, losing game by the same margin.
Four USF players scored in double digits, with junior guard, Geno Thorpe, leading with 16. Fellow guard, freshman, Michael Bibby, came in a close second with 15 points. He was 2-4 behind the arc. Forward, Tulio Da Silva, was just one rebound shy of earning a double-double, with 11 points and nine rebounds. Troy Holston was the fourth Bull in double digit scoring. Holston also scored 11.
The Phoenix had forward, Brian Dawkins, and guard, Steven Santa Ana, go for 13 points, each. Karolis Kundrotas and Luke Eddy scored 11 apiece. Elon outscored USF in the paint, 26-20 and had a whopping 27 points off their bench. They are now 2-1 on the season, with their sole loss coming against Charlotte. They will visit Northern Illinois for their next game on 11-23.
The 1-1 Bulls will need to rebound quickly, with their next opponent, the Rider University Broncs of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, coming to the Sun Dome on Saturday. Tipoff for that game, which is televised by ESPN3, is at 7 PM.