Trey Sumler. Photo: Doug Powell
Jack Isenbarger scored 26 points (5-of-8 from three-point range) for Elon as the Phoenix handed Western Carolina a loss on their home court Thursday night, 71-63.
In a game that the Catamounts needed badly to keep pace in the Southern Conference division, they had no answer for Isenbarger and lost for the fourth time in the last five contests.
WCU was paced by Trey Sumler who led the team in scoring (18) and assists (4). Tawaski King contributed the his first career double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. He also had a career high in steals (4) and offensive rebounds (7). Keaton Cole added 13 points off the bench and a career high, four steals.
The Catamounts went 4-for-18 from three-point range and have lost every time this season when recording four or fewer made three-pointers (0-5).
Elon was led by Isenbarger with 26, Austin Hamilton (13), and Sebastian Koch (12). Ryley Beaumont led the team with 10 rebounds.
The Phoenix attacking defense forced the Catamounts into 16 turnovers and Western Carolina only managed six assists on 21 made baskets.
The win was the first for the Phoenix in Cullowhee since 2007. The Catamounts fall to 9-12, (3-5) and remain in 4th place in the SoCon.
WCU takes to the road for away games at UNC Greensboro (2 p.m., Saturday) and at Wofford (7 p.m., Monday).
