Updated as of Dec. 14, 2021 at 6:32 p.m. to include video.
Charleston, SC — The Elon University men’s basketball team fell to the University of Mississippi — Ole Miss — Rebels, losing 74-56 in the consolation bracket of the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic.
Cold shooting and turnover trouble defined the Phoenix’s first half, and the second half was not much different, as Ole Miss’ lead became even larger.
Elon started off slow and didn’t score its first points of the game until 15:24 left in the first half. The Phoenix was unable to get things going on offense, as the team shot 25% from the field and 22% from three in the first half.
“It was just a tough start for our group to get down 11-0,” Head Coach Mike Schrage said. “You can’t spot an SEC team like that. Our guys showed fight trying to bounce back and dig into it a little bit, but you got to play better.”
Ole Miss went on a 14-3 run midway through the first half as Elon turned the ball over six times during that stretch. Elon finished the first half down 16, as Ole Miss led at halftime 37-21.
Coming off yesterday’s loss to West Virginia, Schrage said the team didn’t have the same type of energy as they did against the Mountaineers.
“We are playing high major teams with high major talent, so that took a lot out of us,” Schrage said. “I didn’t quite see the same zip today and that’s not an excuse, but you know, we’re going to grow from all these experiences.”
Junior guard Hunter Mcintosh, Elon’s leading scorer of the season, was held scoreless in the game and had five turnovers. Senior guard Torrence Watson went 0-3 from the field scoring only two points and had two turnovers. Schrage said he is not concerned about either player going forward, however.
Elon will take a day off to rest before finishing the tournament on Sunday in the seventh-place game against the Temple University Owls. The game will start at 10:30 a.m.
“We need to finish this tournament strong. It’s a heck of an opportunity we had to be here, we’re prepared like heck to win and get on that bus and be proud to be riding back to Elon,” Schrage said. “This whole non-conference schedule is to prepare us to really leave an impression in conference play and try to go forward this year in conference play, not just be the team that emerges in February and March.”