CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – College of Charleston’s Marketta Talley and Erica Irick each scored a game-high 12 points as the seventh-seeded Cougars rolled to a 69-39 victory over 10th-seeded Elon Wednesday afternoon in the first round of the 2005 Kyocera Southern Conference Women’s Basketball Championships. Charleston (15-13) has now won four straight opening-round games in the SoCon Tourney while Elon (4-24) ended the season on an eight-game losing streak.

The Cougars tallied the first eight points of the contest and never looked back as the 30-point margin of victory was the largest by Charleston over a conference opponent in school history. Talley hit her first three three-point attempts versus Elon and ended up equaling a career best by going 4-of-7 (57.1 percent) from behind the arc. The guard also tied a personal high in assists (10) in 37 minutes of action.

Melissa Chambers was the only other Cougar to finish in double figures (10 points) and was also one rebound shy of a double-double (nine boards). College of Charleston held a commanding edge on the glass over Elon, outrebounding the Phoenix, 50-37. The win guaranteed College of Charleston will finish the year with a winning record for the first time since 1991-92.

Kitara McMoore came off the bench to pace Elon with 11 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Sade Jordan chipped in with six tallies and nine boards.

College of Charleston will next challenge number two seed, Davidson, tomorrow in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Game time is slated for 5 p.m.

Game Box Score

-- ELON --