ELON, N.C. - North Carolina A&T opened the second half with a 15-2 run to take a 36-33 lead that they would never relinquish, as the Aggies cruised to a 53-46 victory over the Phoenix Monday night in Alumni Gym.

The Phoenix (1-4) was 0-of-6 from the charity stripe in the second half, while A&T (2-1) made 9-of-15 free throws. 

"I thought we played the way we needed to play, in terms of our defense, to be successful," said Phoenix mentor Brenda Paul.  "But you know, you've got to make a free throw.  We've lost three games because we can't step to the line and stick a free throw in the hole."

The Aggies were paced by Ta'Wuana Cook whose 16 points led all players.  Cook was 5-of-11 for A&T, as was Amber Bland who also reached double digits with 10 points.  Bland added eight rebounds along with teammate Jaleesa Sams. 

Despite shooting 50 percent from the floor (14-of-28) in the first half, the Phoenix was held to 14.3 percent from beyond the arc (2-of-14), netting just one trey in each half, and 18.2 percent from the line (2-of-11) in the contest.

Senior point guard Tierra Bumbrey reached double digits in scoring for the fourth time this season, posting a team-leading 13 points.  Bumbrey was 6-of-13 from the floor with one three-pointer.

Sophomore guard Tiffany Davis added 10 points for Elon, tying a season high. 

Sophomore forwards Amber Wall and Urysla Cotton each grabbed six boards for Elon, adding six and seven points, respectively.

Elon held a 31-21 halftime lead after holding the Aggies to just one basket in the last 5:47 of the first half and scoring 12 straight points to break a 19-19 stalemate.

"They're a second-half club.  They've always been a second-half club," added Paul.  "They always press more in the second half and you have to be ready for that."

The Phoenix travels to UNC Wilmington on Saturday, Nov. 24 to face the Seahawks in a 2 p.m. tip-off.