BUIES CREEK – The Fighting Camels downed Elon 78-68 Thursday night at Gore Arena in the first of two nationally televised home games this season. Anthony Dell'Orso paced the effort with 29 points and 9 rebounds on the night.
 
Campbell improves to 10-10, 4-3 in the CAA while Elon remains winless on the road and sits at 8-12, 1-6.
 
Dell'Orso came out hot and scored the first seven points of the game for the Camels and piled up 18 by the halftime break. The Camels trailed by four as the first half clock ticked down before Elijah Walsh beat the buzzer with a three-pointer to cut into the lead. A previously called goaltend was overturned to give Campbell an additional two points as the teams went to the locker room and ultimately left CU leading 39-38.
 
An early putback and a breakaway dunk kickstarted the second half for the Camels, who didn't trail after halftime. The Camels shot 44% from beyond the arc and 59% from the floor in the second half to help push the lead to as many as 16 with roughly five minutes to go. Laurynas Vaistaras scored 9 points in the second half and was one of four Camels to knock down a timely triple.
 
Omar Harris saw his first action of the season and made a noticeable impact with a smooth floater, an assist, and a steal in 12 minutes of action.
 
Campbell put four players in double figures as Sinani (12), Vaistaras (11), and Walsh (10) all reached the threshold. Walsh also added a career-high seven rebounds on the night.
 
Zac Ervin provided a big lift for the Phoenix off the bench with a team-high 19 points, including four made three-pointers. Elon started 3-3 from downtown before cooling off and finishing 9-26.
 
The two teams won't be strangers, as they're scheduled to meet again in a week at Elon. Between now and then, the Camels next face Charleston Saturday afternoon in Buies Creek. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
 
Saturday is Campbell's Hall of Fame game, where five Camel legends will be enshrined in the Hall. Among those is Cordell Wise, '70, Campbell's first-ever black student and standout on the hardwood. The Hall of Fame recognition will be at halftime of Saturday's game.