Charleston, SC -- (Sports Network) - Stephen Curry dropped in 23 points, leading 23rd-ranked Davidson past Elon, 65-49, in the Southern Conference Tournament championship game at North Charleston Coliseum.

The Wildcats finished perfect against conference opponents this season, and captured the tournament championship for the third straight year.

Thomas Sander scored 11 points and Andrew Lovedale chipped in 10 for Davidson (26-6), which has now won a nation-high 22 straight games and 36 in a row in conference action.

T.J. Douglas netted 18 points while Brett James had 13 for the Phoenix (14-19). Seventh-seeded Elon was the lowest seed to reach the finals since VMI made it as a No. 7 in 1988.

The Wildcats jumped out to an 8-2 advantage behind six straight points from Curry, and played front-runner the rest of the way. The lead stood at eight by intermission at 30-22.

Though they never went in front, the Phoenix did not allow Davidson to capture the title with ease. Jason Richards put the Wildcats lead at 15 with a bucket with about 13 1/2 minutes remaining, but Elon ripped off nine straight points to climb within six at 45-39. Douglas sank a three in that stretch, and Montell Watson capped the run with a lay-in.

After falling back into a double-digit hole, Elon crept within five thanks to four straight points by James and a Douglas triple with 4:24 on the clock.

"That three-pointer gave us some hope there, and it leaves a bad taste to come so far only to come up short," Douglas said.

Davidson again responded, dropping in seven straight -- highlighted by a Bryant Barr three -- to put the game away.

Elon shot 34.5 percent from the floor, compared to 45.5 percent for the Wildcats.

"All year our focus has been playing defense," Lovedale said. "Coach teaches us how to improve our game defensively. Most of the time in practices we work on defense and I think it shows."

Game Notes

Davidson now has a league-record 10 titles in this tourney and is the first team since Chattanooga (1993-95) to capture the championship three straight times...Davidson holds a 28-11 lead over the Phoenix in the all-time series.