ELON, NC – Courtney Nyborg posted her third career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds as Elon out-clawed American 70-55 Monday afternoon at Alumni Gym. The double-double, Elon’s first of the season, gave Nyborg season highs in both categories while equaling her career bests for both.
The Eagles (6-4) exploded to an early 6-0 lead on a lay-up by Maria Werries with 17:51 remaining in the first half. Michele Hamilton put the Phoenix (3-5) on the board with a bucket at the 16:05 mark.
Hamilton’s basket ignited an 8-1 spurt that granted the Phoenix an 8-7 edge during a see-saw opening period. The first half witnessed five lead changes and three ties until Elon took control for good on a Jessica Williams three-point field goal with 7:07 left in the stanza.
Williams’ bomb turned an 18-17 deficit into a 20-18 advantage and began a 17-11 surge that gave the Phoenix a 34-29 halftime edge. Elon never trailed in the second period, opening the half with a 17-10 run to fatten its lead to 51-39 with 8:26 to play.
The Phoenix used commanding advantages in rebounds (54-30) and personal fouls (34-18) to negate 31 Elon turnovers and 19 American steals. The Phoenix finished 23-for-42 from the free throw line while the Eagles ended up 9-for-16 from the stripe.
Elon held edges in field goal percentage (39.6 percent-36.1), three-point field goal marksmanship (22.7 percent-16.7) and assists (14-11). The Eagles out-scratched the Phoenix in free throw accuracy (56.3 percent-54.8), turnovers (21-31), blocked shots (4-1) and steals (19-6).
Nyborg canned six of her seven attempts from the floor and blocked a shot. Elon also received solid performances from Williams (game-high 15 points, contest-best 4-for-9 three-pointers), Lisa Miller (season-high 10 points, career-high-tying four assists) and Anestha Blakeney (season-high 11 rebounds).
American was led by Chanel Spriggs (14 points), Angel McNatt (11 points, seven rebounds) and Chanel Hunt (11 points, seven rebounds, game-high four steals). The Eagles visit No. 11 North Carolina (9-1) for a 4 p.m. contest Tuesday while Elon returns to action Thursday with a 7 p.m. game at Alumni Gym against Birmingham-Southern.
--ELON-- Game Box Score
