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Elon, NC- Saturday's game between the Elon Phoenix and the Hampton Pirates was just the fourth matchup all-time between the two programs. In their previous meeting, Hampton sent Elon home in the first round of last season's CAA Tournament. Both teams entered this game on record starts for their respective programs, with every matchup meaning more as CAA play heats up.
In the first half, it was apparent early that the height inside would be a major advantage for Elon. On their second possession, 7'4" big man Matthew Van Komen snatched down two offensive rebounds in a row on three-point misses. The second one led to a Nick Dorn three-point field goal. Being the more athletic team from top to bottom, Hampton attacked the glass well and would have an 8-5 offensive rebound advantage at the break. Hampton went on multiple runs resulting in leads by seven at the 11:17 and 7:03 marks. Elon would go on a run in the final frame of the first half that culminated with a Van Komen dunk to beat the buzzer.
In the second half, things got a little chippy down the stretch. There were two technical fouls and two common fouls upgraded to flagrant one. Elon center Sam Sherry had this to say regarding a much more physical second half: "We had to fight through some physicality and come up with a good win. Respect to Hampton, we hung in there with the physicality and we got the win." Elon Head Coach Billy Taylor echoed some of those same sentiments regarding Hampton's physicality:
"Tonight was a hard fought game. We had to battle. We knew it was going to be that way. They are well coached, they compete, and they are really physical. We watched that when they played on the road against Charleston [Thursday, January 2nd]...We knew it was one of those games you had to grind it out..." -Elon Head Coach Billy Taylor
Elon accumulated 3 fouls in the first half and 6 in the second half, while Hampton accumulated 6 fouls in the first half and 19 in the second half. Their increased number of fouls combined with their lack of efficient shot selection and shot-making became a recipe for disaster down the stretch. Elon would take the lead 40-38 with 15:35 remaining in the contest, and they would go on to win 70-62.
Elon played this game without two of their most dynamic backcourt players, Jameel Rideout and TK Simpkins. Both players last played for the Phoenix on December 18th at East Tennessee State. Simpkins has averaged 14.3 points per game this season, so his impact was certainly missed. However, these absences have allowed plenty of other guys to step up, including Nick Dorn, who thrived as a reliable scorer against Hampton.
Hampton was led in scoring by reigning CAA Rookie of the Week Daniel Johnson, who contributed 15 points off the bench. The Pirate have to get more consistent production from their veteran players like Noah Farrakhan and Kyrese Mullen to continue their success from the non-conference. Farrakhan has scored in double figures in just 2 of his last 6 games after starting the season scoring in double-figures 8 out of the first 9 games. Mullen was a pre-season All-CAA First-Team selection and his role has evolved into a player who is coming off the bench as he has started just 4 of the 15 games he has played.
After the opening weekend of CAA play, Hampton goes 0-2 and Elon is 2-0. The Pirate's next game is at home on Thursday, January 9th, 2025 against Campbell at 7 p.m. on FloCollege. The Phoenix's next game is Thursday, January 9th, 2025 at William & Mary at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Follow along on X (@TrevorEverette) for live game updates, and for more of my work on House of College Hoops and House Enterprise, head here.
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