ELON, N.C. (AP) Tanner Samson scored 18 points, Steve Santa Ana added 17 points, and Elon beat Division II Belmont Abbey 84-57 on Wednesday night.
Tyler Seibring had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Phoenix (2-1), who scored 29 field goals on 17 assists and forced 18 turnovers.
Elon's Dainan Swoope scored 11, Dmitri Thompson added 10 on 4-of-7 shooting, and Luke Eddy had five assists.
Samson scored 15 of Elon's first 17 points, including three 3-pointers, to build a 17-15 lead and the Phoenix closed the half on an 8-0 run for a 42-32 lead.
The Crusaders rallied to within 42-41 on Markel Pollard's layup, but Santa Ana made back-to-back 3s and Elon scored 20 unanswered points to take firm control at 63-41.
Drexler Clark led Belmont Abbey with 15 points.
