ELON, N.C. - Kitara McMoore racked up 15 points and 11 rebounds - for her seventh double-double of the season and fifth in a row - and Tierra Bumbrey posted a season-high 14 points and six assists as Elon topped the College of Charleston 65-44 in Southern Conference women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gym.
The Phoenix (7-7 overall, 3-3 SoCon) erupted to an early 14-3 advantage on a three-point bucket by Robyn Shipley with 14:41 left in the first period. Elon later expanded its lead to 28-9 on a lay-up by Bumbrey with 3:49 remaining in the half.
Trailing 40-22 early in the second half, the Cougars (5-8, 3-3) went on an 8-2 spurt to draw within 42-30 with 12:52 to play in the contest. The Phoenix responded by reeling off the next 10 consecutive points, building a 52-30 cushion on a Bumbrey basket with 6:57 to go. Elon never led by less than 16 points the rest of the way.
McMoore's double-double marked the 10th of her career. The Phoenix sophomore sensation entered the weekend as the Southern Conference leader in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
McMoore, who finished 6-for-10 from the field versus the Cougars, entered the weekend ranked second in the league in field goal percentage with a 58.9-percent clip. Teammate Katie Whidden (pictured right) chipped in a career-high 11 points as Elon emerged victorious for the fourth time in five games.
The College of Charleston was led by Erica Irick (13 points, five rebounds, four steals) and Marketta Talley (three assists, three steals).
The contest marked the 800th game of Phoenix coach Brenda Paul's career as a head college coach. Currently in her 28th year, Paul has fashioned a 425-375 career record (.531).
Elon ended up with edges in field goal percentage (45.3-32.7), free throw percentage (70.6-70.0), rebounding (44-26), assists (17-5), steals (15-13), points in the paint (36-16), points off turnovers (27-16), second chance points (16-4) and bench points (23-17). The Cougars committed 24 turnovers while the Phoenix finished with 27.
The College of Charleston will visit UNC Greensboro for a 4:30 p.m. contest Monday. Elon will next play at Davidson at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
- ELON - Game Box Score
