GREENVILLE, S.C.- In its final contest of the calendar year, the Elon University women's basketball team defeated Furman 87-76 in an overtime thriller on Monday, Dec. 30.
 
Led by Kayla Liles, four Elon players finished with double-digit scoring. Liles posted a career-high 21 points, followed by Saadia Munford (19), Brie Perpignan (14), and Ariel Colón (10). Munford's points are also a new personal best.
 
Furman's Taylor Petty tallied a team-high 19 points, while Tierra Hodges recorded 14 rebounds.

HIGHLIGHTS
With 1:32 left on the clock in overtime and Elon leading by two (78-76), Jaylin Powell knocked down a three ball to ignite a 9-0 run. The six remaining points in the run came from free throws made by Munford (4) and Liles (2). The burst resulted in the Phoenix taking an 11-point advantage for the third time and Elon eventually getting the win.
 
After taking an 18-17 lead at the end of the opening quarter, Elon opened up its lead to as much as 10 before heading into the locker room. At the 3:36 mark, Elon began a 15-2 run. After a jumper from Liles, Perpignan followed five-consecutive points, while Colón Powell, Tyja Traore, and Munford also chipped in field goals.
 
The Phoenix went into halftime with a 10-point advantage (43-33).
 
Furman made its way back to within striking distance at the end of the third, outscoring the Phoenix 7-0 in the last 3:30 to tie the game at 56. From there, the two teams traded the lead five times in the fourth, which ended with a free throw from Jada Graves to tie the game at 69 and send the contest into overtime.

NOTES 
-As a team, the Phoenix recorded season bests in points (87), field goals (32), free throws (20), rebounds (48), and assists (15). The team also tied its season high for blocked shots in a single game (5).
- Elon's bench outscored the Paladins' 22-7.
-The game had 11 ties and 11 lead changes.
-Elon outrebounded Furman 48-42.
-The Phoenix now leads the overall series 16-11.
-Elon's record now stands at 5-6 on the season.

UP NEXT
The Phoenix travels to Towson, Md. to take on the Tigers in its conference opener on Friday, Jan. 3. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.