By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
More than a wide margin, a victory for the Elon’s men’s basketball team seemed a bit therapeutic Monday afternoon.
“It felt good getting this one,” freshman guard DeMarco Johnson said.
The Phoenix achieved just what it needed by defeating Division III Greensboro College 97-63 at Schar Center in advance of a brief holiday layoff.
Chandler Cuthrell scored 15 of his 21 points in the first half and Kacper Klaczek scored 14 points, while Johnson (11 points) and Bryson Cokley (10 points) provided bench scoring.
The Phoenix (8-5) needed a pick-me-up following Saturday’s overtime loss at Virginia Tech.
“We knew we competed hard and you give yourself an opportunity to win on the road against an ACC opponent,” Elon coach Billy Taylor said. “… To be able to play at a high level against a really good opponent and have opportunities to win that game. Definitely frustration for our guys, we felt like we kind of missed a chance. So to come back right away and have this game against Greensboro College, I’m sure it was helpful for all of us to be able to kind of move on.”
The matchup with Greensboro College was Elon’s final game prior to Coastal Athletic Association play. Northeastern visits next Monday night.
“A lot of good stuff, a lot of positives and we can enter CAA play kind of on a high note,” Taylor said.
The challenge ahead is something Elon players are looking forward to.
“We have a lot to prove,” Johnson said. “Coming into the CAA, we need to ball.”
A few days to recharge could be ideal.
“As you go into league play, it’s a different level of kind of intensity and emotion for every game,” Taylor said. “Every game matters of great importance.”
Elon might be in a good place for the next tests.
“This year’s team is a little more experienced and there’s a different level of maturity that we’ve seen through the first 13 games of the season,” Taylor said.
Monday’s game served as a non-counting exhibition for Greensboro College (4-7), which received 21 points from Jalen Thomas. The Pride shot 1-for-10 on second-half 3s.
“Our defensive intensity and picking it up after halftime,” Johnson said of one of the takeaways from the day.
Elon built a 22-12 lead. The Pride tried to hang around, hitting seven 3-point shots in the first half. The Phoenix led 53-24 at the break.
“It was very workmanlike, kind of brick by brick,” said Taylor, whose team benefited from a 51-23 rebounding advantage.
Senior Ryan Roberts, formerly of The Burlington School, was the first reserve used by the Pride, though he was scoreless in about 20 minutes. He’s in his second season with Greensboro College after transferring from Mt. Olive.
Another TBS alum, Savion Taylor, made his collegiate debut late in the game for Elon. He’s the coach’s son.
