Elon edges Campbell 83-82 at Schar Center in CAA thriller

Randall Pettus II drove into the lane with 1:37 remaining to put Elon ahead for the first time Saturday night, and the Phoenix held on for an 83-82 victory over Campbell at the Schar Center. The late basket capped a game defined by momentum swings, a hot night from Elon's top scorers and a furious comeback attempt from the Camels.

Kacper Klaczek and Chandler Cuthrell each scored 20 points, while Pettus and Ja’Juan Carr added 17 apiece for Elon. The quartet combined to shoot 31-for-49 from the field, a 63.3 percent clip that powered the Phoenix (11-6, 3-1 CAA) through the contest. Campbell's DJ Smith led all scorers with 32 points, 19 of them in the first half, keeping the visitors close until the final seconds.

After Pettus's go-ahead basket, the teams traded turnovers as the clock wound down. Ned Hull’s 3-pointer as the shot clock wound down missed, and with 4.7 seconds left Campbell called timeout to set up a final look. Tasos Cook launched an off-balance 3 at the buzzer that was well off the mark, sealing Elon’s one-point win.

The victory marked a breakthrough moment for Elon coach Billy Taylor and his squad. "It seemed like we could never get over the hump," Elon coach Billy Taylor said. "But we were able to finish the game strong." The quote captured the significance of a late-season conference triumph after close losses earlier in CAA play.

For Alamance County, the result matters beyond the box score. Elon games at Schar Center remain community events that bring students, alumni and local residents together; a late-game win against an in-state rival amplifies school pride and can lift attendance and local engagement for upcoming home dates. On the competitive front, the Phoenix improved to 3-1 in Coastal Athletic Association play, a start that positions them as a team to watch in the conference race.

The game also highlighted individual consistency and depth: Elon relied on balanced scoring rather than a single hot hand, while Campbell leaned heavily on Smith’s production. That dynamic could shape how both teams are scouted and how fans approach future matchups at the Schar Center and away.

For readers, the takeaway is clear: Elon showed the capacity to finish tight games, a trait that can change the tenor of the season and deepen local interest in CAA play. As the conference schedule unfolds, Schar Center promises more high-leverage contests that matter to campus life and the broader Alamance County community.