WASHINGTON (Interstat) — In a game defined by a decisive second-half surge, William & Mary secured a 72-62 victory over Elon on Saturday in a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament quarterfinal at CareFirst Arena.

The Tribe, improving to 20-11, advanced behind a game-high 25 points from sophomore forward Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi. The Phoenix concluded their season at 14-18.

The contest’s pivotal stretch arrived early in the second half. Leading 35-31 at halftime, William & Mary opened the final period with a 13-4 run, transforming a narrow edge into a commanding 48-35 lead with just over 15 minutes remaining. Vahlberg Fasasi, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, ignited the run with a 3-pointer and capped it with another long-range shot, part of his efficient 29-minute performance that included a critical block in the final minute to seal the win.

Elon, which split the regular-season series with the Tribe, could not mount a sustained response. The Phoenix shot consistently but unspectacularly in both halves, scoring 31 points before and after intermission. They drew within nine points on several occasions but never threatened the Tribe’s control down the stretch.

William & Mary’s offense, which shot effectively from the floor, showcased balanced support for its star. Reese Miller added 13 points and four assists, while Chase Lowe contributed eight points, four assists, and relentless defensive pressure that generated multiple steals. The Tribe’s ball movement and ability to convert in transition during their defining run created a margin Elon could not overcome.

For Elon, guard Ned Hull of Charlotte, North Carolina, led the way with 15 points and four assists. Forward Chandler Cuthrell of Baltimore added 13 points, and Randall Pettus chipped in 10. The Phoenix struggled with turnovers at inopportune times, with several leading directly to William & Mary scores during the game-changing run.

The game’s tempo and defensive intensity kept the final total points far below the pregame over/under line of 164.5, though William & Mary covered the spread as a 5-point favorite. The outcome aligned with statistical projections that gave the Tribe a 74.3% probability of victory.

William & Mary’s victory sets up a semifinal matchup, while Elon’s season ends having lost three straight and eight of its final ten games. The Tribe’s performance, particularly the second-half execution spearheaded by Vahlberg Fasasi, demonstrated the form that has now yielded four consecutive wins as they pursue the conference’s automatic NCAA tournament bid.

Attendance for the afternoon session at the neutral site was 1,817.