Feb. 8, 2010

Box Score

Elon, N.C. (AP) - Drew Spradlin scored 16 points, leading five Elon players in double figures, as the Phoenix outlasted Western Carolina 81-76 on Monday night.

Adam Constantine added 15 points, TJ Douglas 14, Chris Long 13 and Terrance Birdette 10 for the Phoenix (6-17, 4-8 Southern Conference), who have won two straight games for the first time this season.

Brandon Giles scored 17 points to lead the Catamounts (18-7,8-5), who have lost two games in a row for the first time this season. Harouna Mutombo added 15 and Jake Robinson scored 14 points off the bench for WCU, while Brigham Waginger scored 12 points while also dishing out four assists and recording five steals.

The Catamounts took a 4-0 lead, but Spradlin and Douglas knocked down back to back jumpers, sparking a 17-4 Phoenix run and they never trailed again. WCU closed to within one point, 50-49, midway through the second half as Mike Williams made one of two free throws. Yet, Elon answered with four consecutive points from the charity stripe.

Western was able to close to within two points twice on triples by Giles and Robinson, respectively, inside of six minutes to play. But each time, Elon answered with a 3-pointer of its own as Brett Ervin and Douglas each buried treys to keep the Phoenix ahead.

WCU got within 71-66 with less than three minutes left, but Douglas again drained a triple and Elon hit seven free throws to seal it down the stretch.

Western Carolina returns home on Saturday to host Davidson in the Ramsey Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm.

- Western Carolina has dropped consecutive games for the first time this season, falling to 5-1 in games following a loss ... the Catamounts have not won at Elon or swept the Phoenix in a regular season since 2005 ... WCU has dropped 13 of the last 14 road meetings with Elon;

- WCU's loss at Elon coupled with Appalachian State's win at UNC Greensboro relegates the Catamounts to second place in the SoCon's North Division behind the Mountaineers ... ASU improved to 8-4 in league play while Western Carolina dropped to 8-5, half a game in arrears;

- Prior to Monday night's game, Western Carolina had slipped to 13th in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll ... It is the third consecutive week the Catamounts have dropped in the ranking after moving back into the top 10 on Jan. 4.