Game Review on Hoyas 85-76 win over the Elon Phoenix

Work Hard Play Hard Hoyas! Let's Get It! 

In the beginning minutes the Hoyas jumped out to an early five point lead after that it was toe to toe the rest of the way in the first.Elon went toe to toe with Hoyas blow for blow in the first half. With the Hoyas down by one at the half I figured they had a lot of talking to do during the half. 

Early in the second quarter I saw the energy I didn't see in the first half on both ends of the court. The two team came out swinging blow for blow, but this didn't last for long as the Hoyas at 15:18, second half the Hoyas went up by seven. Hoyas senior point guard Markel Starks (21 pts.) hit a three pointer at 14:26 to take an eight point lead. Starks, again at 9:38 put his team by nine points this time.

Hoyas fouled Elon's Tanner Samson for two free throws at 7:38 to bring his team within five points 66-61, but senior Hoya Aaron Bowen quickly answered the call to put his team back up by sevens points. With four minutes to go in the game Hoyas Big Man Joshua Smith threw dunk a powerful dunk for a nine point lead. 


The Hoyas finally take a ten point lead with 3:23 to go as Starks was fouled shooting but only knocked down one foul shot, score 64-74. On an assist from junior guard Jabril Trawick, senior forward Nate Lubick made a layup for the Hoyas to go up 78-67 with 1:39 to go in the game. Elon managed to pull within seven points on a dunk by Lucas Troutman, with 1:26 in the game.

Elon would not let as Sebastian Koch makes an and one fouled by Trawick to bring his team within four points, 1:09 to go. Sitting where I was, Phoenix were very excited and thought they had the chance to come back and win the game, but the Hoyas would not be denied as Hoyas senior guard saves the day knocking down crucial free throws in the end. Score, Hoyas 85, Elon 76.

The Hoyas were outrebounded 37-34. Gtown shot well from the free throw line 23-31 and from three point range as well 6-11. I'm just glad they didn't live and die by the three. Get the ball inside you have a potential all-american inside the post. Smith is ALWAYS open but the guards have to QUICKLY recognize this. Hoyas 20 assists, Elon 18 assists.

Elon is a smart team, a veteran team. A team that never gave up. Another so called mid-level team that came into the game thinking they could beat the Hoyas. Oh, they believed and their fans did too. It was a great game, a game tough game mentally and physically the Hoyas need before they fly out to Kansas and handle their business. Better guard play, better communication, better point communication will be well needed as always. I'd like to see some good bounce passes in the post from guards and other teammates as well for Gtown. 

Hoyas meet Kansas on Saturday! Stay humble, stay hungry ... Click here for game photo's courtesy of Christine Burns