Elon handles South Florida 74-61

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Brian Dawkins and Steven Santa Ana scored 13 points apiece and Elon defeated South Florida 74-61 on Thursday night.

Trailing by a point, Dainan Swoope hit a 3-pointer that started a 16-2 run that put Elon (2-1) up for good on its way to a 39-26 halftime lead. The lead quickly ballooned to 21 points early in the second half and remained in double figures.

Luke Eddy and Karolis Kundrotas added 11 points each for the Phoenix (2-1), who came in ranked 16th nationally at 98 points per game and returned 14 players and four starters from last year's 16-16 squad.

The Bulls (1-1), one of four Division I teams without a senior, were led by Geno Thorpe with 16 points and Michael Bibby with 15. Tulio Da Silva and Troy Holston added 11 each.

This was the first meeting between the schools.