ASHVILLE, NC -- The Elon Phoenix used a dominating second half performance to extend their winning streak to five games, and six of their last seven, with a 85-61 victory over the UNCA Bulldogs.

Elon (6-4, 12-11) never trailed after the 14:47 mark of the first half and held a 31-22 advantage at the break. The Phoenix shot 40.7 percent in the period compared to 27.6 percent by the Lady Bulldogs (5-17, 2-8).

Led by Holly Andrews' game-high 15 points (seven in the second half), Elon outscored UNCA 54-39 in the second frame. The Phoenix led by as much as 29 with 1:50 left to play before ending the game with a 24-point victory.

All but one Elon player scored in the contest, including 10 points each from Ivey Ghee, Janis Hepburn, Loretta Lawson and Anestha Blakeney. Erin Green dished out five assists for Elon, while Jayme Chikos and Lawson eached tallied four assists. Hepburn pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. The Phoenix rejected five Bulldog shots, moving their record-setting total to 96 on the season.

Izrawit Medhnaie scored 15 for UNCA, while Gillian Murray put in 13 points and Nicole Sampson and Denise Wilbanks each added 11 points. Sampson also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.

Elon outshot UNCA 45.8 percent to 28.8 percent. Elon also led in turnovers (17-19), blocks (5-2), steals (8-5) and rebounds (51-36). The Phoenix shot 70.0 percent from the line, accounting for 14 Elon points.

The Phoenix will hit the hardwood again on Thursday night as the Winthrop Eagles visit the Nest. The game tips at 7:00 and will be televised on regional television.

--ELON--