Balanced scoring lifts NC-Wilmington over Elon 82-65

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) Led by Cedrick Williams with 14, all five starters scored at least seven points as North Carolina-Wilmington defeated Elon 82-65 Wednesday night.

C.J. Gettys scored nine and Craig Ponder, Addison Spruill and Jordan Talley added seven each as the starters combined for 44 points.

Freddie Jackson scored 15 and Dylan Sherwood 14 off the bench for NC-Wilmington (12-8, 7-2 Colonial Athletic Association).

Elon (11-11, 3-6) scored the first basket when Elijah Bryant hit a jumper just six seconds in, but didn't score again for five minutes. By then the Seahawks were ahead 13-2 as Ponder scored seven and Gettys ended the run with a dunk.

The Seahawks were up 47-23 at halftime and led by as many as 30. Ponder and Jordon Talley each had six assists.

Bryant led Elon with 17 points, Tanner Samson added 14.

The in-state rivals met for the first time as members of the CAA.