MIAMI, Fla. -- Kitara McMoore scored 12 points and hauled in 12 rebounds, her first collegiate double-double, but the Phoenix (0-2)was downed 56-44 by host Florida International (2-1) in the opening game of the FIU/Miami Herald Thanksgiving Classic on Friday evening.

Elon jumped out to a five point lead when a McMoore jumper with 15:59 to play in the first half put the Phoenix ahead 10-5. The Golden Panthers trimmed the lead to one three times before grabbing their the lead at 19-18 with 5:09 left in the first stanza on a Eva Makela jumper. Elon outscored FIU 8-6 over the rest of the half and the teams went into the break knotted at 26.

Florida International began the second half with a 9-2 run over the first 4:03 to grab a 35-28 edge. Elon cut the margin to 39-38 with 9:49 left to play after a Katie Whidden free throw. FIU scored the next six points, however, and pushed the lead back to seven with just over eight minutes to play.

Elon managed to get the lead back to 47-42 with 4:47 left in the contest only to see the Golden Panthers net the next nine points to grab the biggest margin of the night, 14 points. A McMoore layup with four ticks left on the clock set the final score at 56-44 in favor of FIU.

Jessica Williams canned four threes to finish with 12 points. Williams also grabbed five rebounds. Brianne Gray added six points and six caroms for the Phoenix.

Milena Tomova led all scorers with 25 points and finished the night with a double-double, collecting 10 rebounds. Tomova also finished the game with four of FIU's 11 blocks. Eva Makela swatted five shots and netted 14 points for the Golden Panthers.

FIU held a 42-37 edge on the boards, a 17-10 margin in assists, an 11-3 advantage in blocks, a 10-8 difference in steals and a 15-22 edge in turnovers.

The Phoenix will play in the consolation game at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon against Wichita State. FIU will play West Virginia at 7:00 p.m. for the tournament title.

Game Box Score

-- ELON --