CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -Ola Atoyebi scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help Elon hold off a College of Charleston late rally in a 59-53 win on Saturday.
Brett James had 15 points, five rebounds and two blocks for the Phoenix (6-13, 3-8 Southern Conference), who jumped out to a 26-2 lead in the first half before taking a 20-point advantage into halftime.
But Elon nearly gave the game away in the second half, letting the Cougars pull within 45-44 midway through the period. College of Charleston outscored Elon 45-31 in the second half to make it a game after getting pounded in the first, but the Phoenix's late free-throw shooting sealed the win.
Elon hit 5 of 13 shots from 3-point range, while the Cougars went just 2 of 22.
Donavan Monroe led the Cougars (16-5, 8-3) with 11 points, Tony White Jr. added 10 and Jermaine Johnson pulled down 11 boards.
