Georgia Southern nearly erased a late 15-point deficit against Elon on Wednesday night, but the Eagles came up just short, falling 55-50 to the Phoenix in the team's Southern Conference opener.

Georgia Southern started slow and trailed nearly the entire game. The Eagles were behind 32-26 at halftime, and things were all but over when Elon led 53-38 with 3:56 left. But a quick 11-0 Eagles run made it a four-point game with 1:47 remaining. Georgia Southern had multiple chances to make it even tighter, but the closest the Eagles got was three.

Lucas Troutman led the way for the Phoenix with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Jack Isenbarger was the only other Elon player in double figures with 12 points.

Tre Bussey's 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting led Georgia Southern. C.J. Reed and Eric Ferguson both scored in double figures for the Eagles, but other player score more than three points.

Georgia Southern fell to 2-4 with the loss, while Elon moved to 5-2.