Spradlin scores 16 points, leads balanced scoring as Elon cruises past Western Carolin 81-76

Elon beats Western Carolina 81-76

ELON, N.C. — 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.

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. Western Carolina got within 74-67 with less than 2 minutes left, but Elon hit seven free throws to seal it down the stretch.

Brandon Giles scored 18 points to lead the Catamounts (18-7, 8-5), who have lost two games in a row for the first time this season. The Catamounts, who opened the season winning 10 of 11, have dropped back into the middle of the pack in the SoCon standings.