By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
The result sure looked good for the Elon men’s basketball team Saturday night.
“Anytime you can come away with conference wins, you celebrate it, you’re excited for it and you try to learn from it,” coach Billy Taylor said.
So while it was disjointed at times, the 70-62 victory against Hampton was worth savoring after a solid second half at Schar Center.
“It was great that we finished the way we did,” forward Sam Sherry said.
Nick Dorn cranked out 24 points with five 3-pointers, and Sherry, who shot 10-for-13 from the field, racked up 20 points and 12 rebounds. TK Simpkins added 11 points.
Elon (11-4 overall, 2-0 Coastal Athletic Association) has won its first two league games for the first time in seven years.
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The Phoenix had a 10-point lead when guard Simpkins converted a three-point play – the ball flying out of his hands high into the air and conveniently falling through the hoop. His free throw made it 57-47.
“That’s the way the game goes sometimes,” Taylor said. “You hope you get enough breaks.”
The Phoenix has its second four-game winning streak of the season going into Thursday night’s game at William & Mary and followed by a January 13 home matchup against Campbell.
Dorn has reached the 24-point mark three times in his sophomore season. He said he’s ready to fire every game.
“I try to think that every night,” Dorn said. “I was able to find a rhythm. My teammates were able to find me in spots that they know I like to shoot.”
Sherry’s 10 field goals are the most for any Elon player this season.
“Having that inside-outside combination was really big for us,” Taylor said.
Elon outscored Hampton 25-4 on free throws. The Phoenix attempted 37, so it was the most makes and attempts of the season for the Phoenix.
“We just knew it was going to be one of those games that you have to grind it out,” Taylor said. “It’s not going to be pretty at times.”
Dorn hit four 3s in the first 13½ minutes. Yet Hampton, which eliminated the Phoenix in last season’s CAA Tournament, led 24-17 at the half’s seven-minute mark.
The Pirates held the lead for more than 16 minutes of game time in the first half. With Matthew Van Komen’s dunk at the buzzer, Elon was within 32-30 at halftime.
“We’re only down two and we didn’t play that well the first half,” Taylor said.
Hampton had just two players back from last March’s meeting. The Pirates (8-7, 1-2), who went 5-0 in December, lost their second game in a row.
