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Kris Wooten holds his release on a 3-pointer as Elon teammates behind him watch the shot in anticipation during a victory against Campbell in December.
Times-News
[Photo courtesy of Troy Sayles / Elon athletics], Times-News
WILMINGTON — What a return for Kris Wooten and what a way to close the regular season for Elon.
The junior guard buried a 3-pointer to beat the buzzer and lift the Phoenix past UNC Wilmington 80-77 at the horn in Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball Saturday night at Trask Coliseum, the dramatic ending setting off a wild celebration that sent Elon teammates mobbing Wooten on the court.
He played in his first game since Jan. 3 and delivered in exceedingly clutch fashion, as Elon turned Hunter Woods’ steal and a fast break during the game’s final five seconds into the game-winning moment.
Kris Wooten holds his release on a 3-pointer as Elon teammates behind him watch the shot in anticipation during a victory against Campbell in December.
Times-News
[Photo courtesy of Troy Sayles / Elon athletics], Times-News
The victory marked the fourth in a row for Elon (7-8 overall, 4-7 CAA), which takes the No. 8 seed into the conference tournament next weekend. Elon will meet No. 9 seed Towson in a first-round matchup Saturday, with the winner advancing to face top-seeded James Madison in the quarterfinals.
“It was nice to be in a close game and pull it out before March,” Elon coach Mike Schrage said. “I thought our guys showed tremendous character. Really proud of all of them and especially Kris. He was deserving of that moment after all he’s been through, and his attitude throughout. We are excited to keep building and to compete as long as we can.”
Darius Burford’s 23 points topped Elon, which got 17 points from Hunter McIntosh, 13 points from Ikenna Ndugba and 12 points from Wooten, who came off the bench to connect on four 3-pointers.
Joe Pridgen’s 21 points and Ty Gadsden’s 20 points paced UNCW (7-9, 1-6), which played its first game since Jan. 31 due to coronavirus issues. The Seahawks’ previous 10 games on the schedule had been called off, and they suited up just seven players for Saturday night’s regular-season finale.
Elon bolted to sizeable leads of 17-1, 23-4 and 30-9 out of the gate, and was ahead 45-34 at halftime.
At the end, UNCW had possession with the score tied 77-77. Mike Okauru’s drive from out high left him attempting a cross-court pass from the baseline, to cutting teammate Shykeim Phillips.
Woods intercepted the pass in the lane with about six seconds remaining and found Ndugba, who was on the run the other way. The racing Ndugba took one dribble and passed ahead to Wooten, who had sprinted to a spot on the wing.
Wooten let the decisive 3-pointer fly in front of Elon’s bench, over a lunging challenge from UNCW’s Jamahri Harvey. The shot swished through as time expired, and jubilant teammates swarmed Wooten in celebration.
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