The Pack was able to edge out the Elon Phoenix at home Thursday, 79-76.
State started off quickly, with junior forward Tracy Smith scoring the game’s first basket just 15 seconds into the game.
But the team was unable to follow-up this quick start, going without a field goal for the next three minutes.
This poor shooting helped the Phoenix jump out to an early 15-7 lead.
The Pack was able to fight back, however, with the help of senior forward Dennis Horner.
Dennis Horner and Smith helped State outscore Elon 18-14 in the paint in the first half, but the Phoenix fast break was too much for the Pack. Elon outscored State 7-0 on the fast break.
Horner scored the last seven points of the half for the team on his way to a team-high 14 points in the first.
Elon led 39-33 at the break.
“They definitely outplayed us in the first half,” coach Sidney Lowe said. “I just didn’t see the focus and concentration in the team that I had been seeing.”
The Pack came out in the second with an intensity it lacked in the first, scoring the period’s first seven points to take a 40-39 lead.
The two teams continued to go back and forth, but State was able to maintain a slight lead throughout the half. The team outblocked Elon 10-0 on the game.
Smith left the game with nine minutes remaining holding his right quad but later returned, grabbing a team-high eight rebounds.
“I couldn’t let my team down,” Smith said. “They needed me so I just stayed and did my best.”
Smith described the injury as a bruised thigh.
Horner continued to add to his impressive tally in the second, grabbing a team high 23 points in the game.
“I wanted to step up as a leader,” Horner said. “Someone had to get us fired up.”
The team led 73-68 with just 42 seconds left in the game, but a Smith foul gave the Phoenix an easy two at the free throw line.
Elon gave the points back when sophomore guard Julius Mays was put at the line for two free throws of his own.
After a defensive stop, the team was able trade free throws for Elon baskets to put the game away by a final score of 79-76.
The win brings the Pack’s record to 8-1. Its next game is Sunday, Dec. 20 at ACC rival Wake Forest.
