GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Elijah Bryant finished with 20 points on 6-of-8 shooting and Elon held on to defeat UNC Greensboro 71-64 on Saturday.

The Phoenix (6-5) opened the second half with a 9-0 run as Tanner Samson hit a jumper and 3-pointer for Elon's largest lead, 44-29. The Spartans (4-8) chipped away to pull within four after RJ White's dunk with 4:03 left.

Ryan Winters later followed with a layup for Elon, but Kayel Locke answered with a jumper for UNC Greensboro to make it 65-60 with 1:07 left. Elon sank six free throws in the final minute to ice it.

The Phoenix shot 50 percent from the field. Samson led Elon with 21 points and went 9 of 11 from the free-throw line. Kevin Blake added eight points for the Phoenix.

White led the Spartans with 16 points and 12 rebounds while Locke had 17 points with nine boards.