Feb. 21, 2004

Final Stats

Elon, N.C, - Matt Nowlin poured in 20 points and Jackson Atoyebi posted 16 points and 13 rebounds to power Elon to a 68-53 Southern Conference men's basketball victory over Western Carolina Saturday night at Alumni Gym.

Elon used a 14-3 run to stretch an 18-14 edge into a 32-17 cushion on a Gary Marsh layup with 3:15 to play before halftime. The Phoenix maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the second stanza and eventually extended the lead to 64-45 on a putback by Atoyebi with 3:19 left.

Nowlin connected on seven of his 13 shots from the floor, including 6-of-9 attempts from three-point land while Atoyebi canned four of his six field goal tries and sank all eight of his free throw attempts. Scottie Rice chipped in 11 points and Steven Harvin grabbed eight boards for the Phoenix.

Western Carolina was led by Alex Osipovitch, who scored 13 points off the bench. Kevin Martin added 12 points and David Berghoefer 11. Martin finished 3-for-18 from the field and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe.

Elon fired 49.0 percent from the floor (25 of 51), including 56.5 percent (13 of 23) in the first half. The Catamounts shot 30.2 percent from the field (16 of 53) en route to a season-low 53 points. The Phoenix won the battle of the boards 38-31, but committed 20 turnovers to 14 for WCU.

Western Carolina will stay in the area to face UNC Greensboro on Monday (Feb. 23). Tip-off at Fleming Gym is scheduld for 7 pm.