GREENSBORO, N.C. (Interstat) — In a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball game defined by defensive pressure and missed opportunities, the Elon Phoenix held off a late surge from North Carolina A&T to secure a 69-64 victory on Thursday night at Corbett Sports Center.

Elon, which led for the entirety of the contest, improved to 10-6 overall. North Carolina A&T fell to 7-8.

The Phoenix built their lead on the strength of a disruptive defense and efficient transition offense. Elon forced 13 Aggies turnovers, converting them into 18 points, and dominated fast-break scoring 18-4. While neither team shot particularly well, Elon’s ability to generate extra possessions and easier baskets proved decisive.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final two minutes. With Elon clinging to a 62-59 lead, North Carolina A&T’s Mujahiid Burton connected on a 3-pointer with 1:52 remaining to tie the game, capping a personal 7-0 run that brought the Aggies back from a nine-point deficit.

Elon responded on the ensuing possession. Guard Ja’Juan Carr found forward Chandler Cuthrell for a layup to put the Phoenix back ahead 64-62. After a stop, Elon worked the clock before Carr drove and was fouled with 18 seconds left. He made the first free throw but missed the second, keeping the Elon lead at three points.

Needing a 3-pointer to tie, North Carolina A&T’s final possession disintegrated. Burton, who had been scorching in the second half, was stripped by Elon’s Kacper Klaczek near midcourt with one second remaining, sealing the victory for the Phoenix.

Cuthrell, a 6-foot-8 forward from Baltimore, led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field, adding seven rebounds. Randall Pettus contributed 15 points for Elon, while Carr finished with eight points, six assists and a key block.

The Aggies were led by Burton, who scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half. Zamoku Weluche-Ume of London, England, added 15 points, four assists and nine rebounds. North Carolina A&T’s interior defense, anchored by Amadou Doumbia’s four blocks, kept them in the game despite a frigid 7-of-30 performance from 3-point range.

Elon established control early, using an 11-0 run midway through the first half to open a 23-9 lead. The Aggies chipped away, closing the half on a 9-2 spurt to trail 33-30 at intermission. The Phoenix shot just 40% from the field for the game and 59% from the free-throw line, but offset those struggles by committing only nine turnovers and hitting timely shots whenever the Aggies threatened.

North Carolina A&T had chances down the stretch but was hampered by its own offensive inefficiency, posting an offensive rating of 92.4 points per 100 possessions. Elon managed a slightly better 97.9 rating in a game where both defenses largely controlled the tempo.

Elon next hosts Campbell on Saturday. North Carolina A&T travels to face William & Mary on Jan. 15.