ELON, N.C. -- Elijah Bryant scored 16 of his 25 points in the final eight minutes to help Elon surge past William & Mary 85-79 on Thursday night.

Tanner Samson gave the Phoenix (10-6, 2-1 Colonial) the lead for good at 78-75 on a 3-pointer with 55 seconds left and Elon made 7 of 8 free throws to secure the win. Samson had 20 points while Bryant added six rebounds and six assists.

Elon trailed 61-54 when Bryant scored 11 of Elon's next 15 points for a 69-68 lead with 3:39 left. Marcus Thorton's 3 for William & Mary (8-6, 2-1) tied the game at 75.

Terry Tarpey had 22 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Tribe, who trailed 38-35 at halftime but took control early in the second half. They stretched their lead to seven on four different occasions.

Thorton added 21 points and seven assists and Omar Prewitt scored 15.