GAME NOTES: A pair of teams trying to avoid a third straight loss hook up at the Ramsey Center tonight, as the Elon Phoenix duel with the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference play. The Phoenix have struggled of late, winning just one of their past five outings. On Saturday, Elon suffered its second straight loss in a 61-57 decision to UNC Greensboro. With the loss, the Phoenix fell to an even 5-5 in conference play and to just 7-11 overall. As for WCU, it has also had its share of problems of late, losing five of its past six contests, including two in a row. The team was last in play on Monday, when it suffered an 82-67 defeat to Davidson. It was the sixth loss in seven league games for the Catamounts, who dipped to 5-12 overall. With regard to the all-time series, Elon owns a 40-31 edge over WCU and that includes a 59-49 triumph in an earlier meeting this season.

Elon shot a lackluster 37.1 percent from the field and it turned the ball over 15 times in a 61-57 loss to UNC Greensboro. The team also struggled at the foul line, where it went just 4-of-11. Brett James led the Phoenix with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Montell Watson turned in 14 points and five steals. Ola Atoyebi also got involved, with an all-around effort of nine points, seven rebounds and three steals. For the season, Atoyebi leads Elon in both scoring (13.9 ppg) and rebounding (6.9 rpg) and he is also shooting 58.2 percent from the field. James ranks second to him with 10.9 ppg and 4.6 rpg, while Watson adds 10.6 ppg and 3.1 apg to the mix. As a unit, the Phoenix are putting forth 62.6 ppg on 43.9 percent shooting from the floor this season.

WCU simply couldn't slow down Davidson on Monday, allowing the Wildcats to shoot 48.3 percent from the field, including a 14-of-30 effort from long range, in an 82-67 setback. The Catamounts also committed 15 turnovers, which led Davidson to 20 points. Brandon Giles paced the team with 23 points and six boards, while Blake Gallagher and Jake Robinson tallied 12 points apiece. For the season, Giles tops the roster in scoring at 13.8 ppg and he is shooting 42.9 percent from three-point range. Michael Porrini however, is the squad's most versatile player, as he turns in 11.3 ppg, 3.3 apg and 5.2 rpg. Overall, WCU is scoring 65.4 ppg on the season, although it is shooting just 38.7 percent from the floor.

Elon is the better shooting and defensive team here and those are two reasons why it should prevail on the road tonight.