ELON, NC -- Behind a game-high 21 points from Holly Andrews the Elon Phoenix grabbed its second consecutive victory 62-60 over visiting Birmingham-Southern. The win advances Elon to 4-5 on the season, while the Panthers fall to 4-6.
The first half featured seven lead changes with the Panthers taking the largest lead of the half with 2:40 to play in the period when a Lindsay Boyett (17 points, three assists) free throw put BSC up by nine. The Phoenix would score the last four points of the half on two Andrews scores, cutting the margin at the break to 22-27.
Behind a 14-0 run to start the second stanza, the Phoenix pulled ahead by nine points with 15:45 to play. The Panthers stormed back and knotted the game at 36 when Candace Byrd (team-high 19 points) sank the first of two from the charity stripe and grabbed the lead when she sank the second at the 11:04 mark.
The teams would exchange the lead 14 times in the second half and with only 27 ticks remaining Andrews stepped to the line with Elon down 59-60. She would sink both shots to put the Phoenix ahead for good. Courtney Nyborg (seven points, seven rebounds, two blocks) would add the final point on a free throw with three seconds left and a desperation three by Boyett would miss at the buzzer.
Adding 10 points, six boards and two rejections for Elon was Anestha Blakeney, while Andrews also swatted two shots. Both Jayme Chikos and Brianne Gray tallied three assists for the Phoenix.
BSC's Stacey Anthony recorded 10 points and three steals. The Phoenix were able to keep the Panthers' Ricka Spears, who was averaging 8.9 points per game, scoreless for the contest.
For the game Elon held advantages on the boards, grabbing 34 rebounds to BSC's 23 and in blocks (6-1). Both teams swiped 14 steals and the Panthers recorded 11 assists to Elon's nine. The Panthers were perfect from the line, connecting on all 10 of their attempts. The Phoenix sank 17-of-26 for 65.4 percent.
The Phoenix will begin Big South play on Saturday when they travel to Winthrop for a 4:00 p.m. contest. Birmingham-Southern will play at High Point on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
Game Box Score
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