CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Elon, the fifth seed from the North Division, claimed the first upset win of the Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Championship with a 62-55 win over Wofford, the fourth seed from the South, in the McKenzie Arena Friday night.  Monty Sanders and Brett James combined for 40 points to lead the Phoenix (11-19).

Elon led from the outset scoring 14 unanswered points to open the game en route to a 34-22 halftime advantage.  It pushed its advantage to 15 points in the second half, 38-23, on a Devan Carter layup at 16:21.

Wofford answered with a 16-5 run to cut the lead to 43-39 on a Brad Loesing three-pointer with 9:17 to play.  The Terriers closed to within two on two Junior Salters free throws at 5:19.

Two hustle plays in the final minute-plus helped seal the win for the Phoenix.  Up 57-54 at 1:08, James missed the front end of a one-and-bonus, but Sanders was there for the offensive rebound.

With 44 seconds to play, Adam Constantine missed two free throws, but Chris Long grabbed yet another offensive board and made one-of-two from the line to make it 58-54 with 40 second to play.  James then hit four free throws down the stretch to close out Wofford, 62-55, and move on to the quarterfinal round.

Sanders had game-high honors in points and rebounds with 21 points on seven-of-eight shooting from the field, and nine boards.  James had 19 points to go with eight rebounds and three assists as the Phoenix held a 38-28 advantage on the glass.

All-Conference pick Noah Dahlman led the Terriers with 18 points and eight rebounds.  Salters added 11 points and three assists.

Elon advances to the quarterfinals Saturday meeting Chattanooga, the top seed from the North, at 7 p.m.  Wofford ends its season with a 16-14 record.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.---Samford jumped out quick and then held on to defeat Furman 57-52 Friday night in the first round of the Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Championship. Aptly named Bryan Friday’s 17 points led a trio of Bulldogs in double figures.

The North Division’s No. 3 seed, Samford opened the game hot in jumping out to a 23-7 lead on a three-pointer by Andy King at 12:07 in the first half.  The Bulldogs hit six threes in nine attempts in building a 35-24 halftime advantage.

Furman chipped away to start the second half with two Bryson Barnes free throws cutting the deficit to five, 36-31, with 16:42 left.  After trailing for over 29 minutes, Brandon Sebirumbi’s two free throws tied the game at 38-all with 10:41 to play, a 14-3 run to open the half for the Paladins.

The Bulldogs answered with eight consecutive points capped by a Trey Montgomery three-point play at 8:33.  The Paladins would not go away quietly getting within two late in the game before Josh Bedwell’s two free throws with four seconds to play iced the game.

King and Montgomery joined Friday in double digits with 10 apiece.  Friday tied for game-high honors with eight rebounds as Samford held a 35-32 edge on the glass.

Jordan Miller led the Paladins, who entered the tournament as the No. 6 seed from the South, with 11 points and five rebounds on the night.  Noah States tied Friday for game-high honors with eight boards while adding three steals.

Samford advances to the quarterfinals to face The Citadel in Saturday’s nightcap with the game starting 30 minutes after the Chattanooga-Elon matchup.