Cuthrell’s late layup lifts Elon to 79-76 comeback over William & Mary

Chandler Cuthrell finished with 18 points and a decisive late basket to lift Elon to a 79-76 comeback victory over William & Mary in Elon, N.C. Cuthrell “capped the scoring on a layup with 42 seconds left,” turning a seven-point halftime deficit into a home win that moves Elon to 13-9 overall and 5-4 in Coastal Athletic Association play.

Elon trailed 44-37 at intermission after Bryson Cokley scored nine first-half points. Cokley finished with 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting, going 1-for-5 from three and 3-for-4 at the free-throw line. Ned Hull provided perimeter fire, shooting 5-for-7 overall and 4-for-6 from beyond the arc for 14 points. Cuthrell “led the way with 14 second-half points,” and, per one line of the official narrative, also had seven rebounds; an initial box-score fragment listed six rebounds for Cuthrell, a discrepancy noted in postgame summaries.

William & Mary was paced by Ryan Jackson Jr. with 13 points while Chase Lowe and Cade Haskins each scored 12. The Tribe shot 47% (27-58) from the field and 37% (11-30) from three, but struggled at the line, making 9 of 14 free throws (64%). Elon shot 49% (30-61) overall, made 10 of 24 from three (42%) and converted 11 of 14 free throws (79%). The Phoenix had 34 rebounds to William & Mary’s 33, and turned the ball over 13 times to the Tribe’s seven. Referees for the game were Lee Cassell, Roger Ayers and Bill Covington Jr.

The game’s statistical profile shows why the comeback stuck. Elon’s better three-point efficiency and free-throw shooting in the second half helped overcome a deficit at the break, while the rebound margin was essentially even. The turnover differential favored William & Mary, but Elon’s shooting accuracy and late execution sealed the victory.

For Alamance County, Elon home wins have broader ripple effects beyond the record book. Successful Phoenix basketball nights draw students, alumni and local supporters into Elon, supporting downtown restaurants and small businesses and sustaining campus energy during the winter semester. A late-game win also matters for ticket demand and local buzz as Elon continues its push in a tightly bunched CAA; both teams sit at 5-4 in conference play after the result.

Elon will look to build on the momentum from Cuthrell’s late heroics as conference play continues; local fans can expect more tightly contested CAA matchups in the weeks ahead and the attendant economic lift that comes with home-court success.