ELON, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and resilience, the Elon Phoenix erased a double-digit deficit and executed in the final minute to edge the Richmond Spiders 73-70 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Schar Center.

A crowd of 1,228 saw the Phoenix overcome a sloppy first half and a 12-point Richmond lead by clamping down defensively and capitalizing on a decisive 19 turnovers by the Spiders. The victory improved Elon to 7-4 on the season, while Richmond, which had won five straight, fell to 9-2.

The most critical sequence unfolded in the final 53 seconds with the score knotted at 70. After a Richmond miss, Elon’s Chandler Cuthrell drove the lane, scored through contact from Richmond’s AJ Lopez, and completed the three-point play at the free-throw line to put the Phoenix ahead 73-70. Richmond had two opportunities to tie on its final possession, but Will Johnston’s contested 3-point attempt was blocked by Ja’Juan Carr, and a desperate heave at the buzzer was off the mark, sealing the Elon victory.

The game’s pivotal stretch began much earlier, as Richmond seemed poised to take control. The Spiders, fueled by efficient 3-point shooting, built a 41-35 halftime lead and extended it to 52-44 with 12:01 remaining in the second half after a 3-pointer from Johnston. However, Elon responded with a 13-0 run, spearheaded by Kacper Klaczek and Isaac Harrell, to seize a 57-52 advantage. The run flipped the momentum entirely, setting the stage for the tense finish where neither team led by more than four points the rest of the way.

Klaczek, a 6-foot-8 forward from Chorzow, Poland, was instrumental in the comeback, leading all scorers with 16 points and adding three assists and two steals. His back-to-back 3-pointers during Elon’s key second-half surge were crucial. He was complemented by backcourt mates Ja’Juan Carr, who had 13 points, and Isaac Harrell, who added 11. Elon shot 46.4% from the field and a solid 40% from 3-point range while dishing out 10 assists and recording 10 steals.

Richmond was led by AJ Lopez, a 6-foot-5 guard from Queens, New York, who scored 15 points, blocked two shots, and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Apostolos Roumoglou, a 6-foot-8 forward from Xanthi, Greece, provided 12 points and four assists off the bench. The Spiders shot well from deep, hitting 12 of 29 attempts, and were a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line. But their 19 turnovers, which Elon converted into 22 points, proved too much to overcome despite winning the rebounding battle 34-30.

The first half was a story of Richmond’s hot shooting against Elon’s ball security issues. The Spiders connected on 7 of 15 3-pointers before the break, with Collin Tanner and Johnston hitting multiple early ones to establish a lead. Elon, meanwhile, committed nine turnovers in the opening period, allowing Richmond to build its cushion despite the Phoenix shooting 50% from the field themselves.

Elon’s defensive pressure intensified in the second half, holding Richmond to 29 points on 10-of-27 shooting and forcing 10 Spider turnovers. The Phoenix also improved at the line, making 7 of 10 free throws after halftime to secure the win.

Statistically, the game was a contrast in efficiency. Elon scored its 73 points on just 67 possessions for an offensive rating of 109.6, while Richmond’s 70 points came from 68 possessions for a rating of 103.3. The Spiders’ normally reliable offense was stifled just enough down the stretch.

Richmond, which entered as a 5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, saw its five-game winning streak snapped. The total score of 143 fell well under the pregame over/under line of 160.5, largely due to the slowed pace and increased defensive intensity in the second half.

Elon next travels to face Virginia Tech on Saturday. Richmond returns home to host The Citadel on Saturday, looking to rebound before entering Atlantic 10 Conference play later this month.