Elon Edges William & Mary on Cokley's Late 3-Pointer

Bryson Cokley's 29 points, including the game-winning 3, lift the Phoenix to a narrow victory over the Tribe.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a tightly contested matchup, the Elon Phoenix men's basketball team stunned the William & Mary Tribe with a dramatic finish on Saturday afternoon. Bryson Cokley hit a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left to secure an 81-78 victory for Elon after the game featured six ties and three lead changes in the final minutes.

Why it matters

This victory is a significant boost for the Elon Phoenix, who are looking to improve their conference standing in the competitive Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). The dramatic finish also highlights the excitement and unpredictability of college basketball, where any team can pull off an upset on any given day.

The details

Cokley's 3-pointer capped off a back-and-forth battle that saw the lead change hands multiple times in the closing minutes. William & Mary had tied the game at 78 with 30.5 seconds left, but Cokley's clutch shot from the left wing put Elon ahead for good. The Tribe had one last chance to force overtime, but Reese Miller's 3-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.

  • The game was played on Saturday afternoon, February 15, 2026.
  • Cokley hit the game-winning 3-pointer with just 2.4 seconds remaining in the contest.

The players

Bryson Cokley

A senior guard for the Elon Phoenix, Cokley led all scorers with 29 points, including 7 made 3-pointers.

Kyle Pulliam

A standout player for the William & Mary Tribe, Pulliam scored 18 points and added 2 blocks.

Reese Miller

The Tribe's sixth man, Miller contributed 15 points off the bench, including a late 3-pointer that tied the game.

Chandler Cuthrell

Elon's second-leading scorer, Cuthrell added 17 points, 5 assists, and 8 rebounds.

Jo'el Emanuel

William & Mary's versatile forward, Emanuel tallied 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.

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What they’re saying

“Cokley's 3-pointer was the difference-maker in this game. He really stepped up when it mattered most for Elon.”

— Kyle Pulliam, William & Mary Player

What’s next

The win boosts Elon's conference record to 6-8 in the CAA, keeping their postseason hopes alive. William & Mary, now 16-10 overall and 7-7 in the league, will look to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This thrilling finish showcases the unpredictable nature of college basketball, where any team can pull off an upset on any given day. Elon's resilience and Cokley's clutch performance proved to be the difference in this closely contested matchup between two CAA rivals.