Jan. 9, 2024: Elon Phoenix (7-6, 2-0) @ Towson Tigers (11-2, 1-1)
Gloria Spann, mother of freshman PG/SG Jon Spann
Elon’s freshman SF Charles Barnes has been one of the brightest new stars in the CAA. He’s averaging 10.8 ppg and has scored in double figures in 8 of the Phoenix’ 13 games. He’s been the CAA Freshman Player of the Week 4 times already. If my son, Jon, were starting and getting as much playing time, people would understand that he really is the best freshman in the CAA. It’s nearly a 4 hour drive from Buckingham, VA where we live to Towson, so my husband and I can’t get to all of Jon’s home games.
The Tigers shooting sucked early in the game and 3 of their players (C Donny Flint, SF Wayne Burrough, and C Donyell Porter) picked up 2 quick fouls. In contrast the Phoenix shot well and lept ahead 20-10 after 9 minutes of play. But Towson rallied and came back in the last 5 minutes of the half to take a 36-34 lead when the buzzer sounded. Jon scored just 2 points but played well. SF Wayne Burrough was the Tigers top scorer with 8 points. Charles Barnes was better than I thought, scoring 15 points for the Phoenix.
Towson held onto a small lead the entire 2nd half but never was able to pull away and create a comfortable lead. But the Tigers did enough to win by a final score of 80-73.
Jon scored just 3 points, but also had 3 assists and 2 steals. PG Shaun White scored 22, SG Dominick Collins put in 15 points plus had 8 rebounds, C Donny Flint had 13 points, 5 assists and 9 rebounds, and SF Wayne Burrough added 10 points. SF Charles Barnes scored 23 points for Elon. Hmm...so OK, he's pretty good.
The win moved Towson into a 5-way tie for 2nd place, one game behind 3-0 Hofstra.