ELON, N.C. – Elon University head women's basketball coach
Charlotte Smith became the program leader for all-time wins (173) on Nov. 22 as the Phoenix earned a 10-point victory over North Carolina A&T, 76-66.
"We're extremely excited to keep the winning streak alive," said Smith. "I feel like we came out and executed for the most part for 40 minutes in terms of our game plan, so we're just happy to come out with the win and we want to keep it going."
THE RUNDOWN
-After the Phoenix took an early six-point lead, the Aggies went on a 9-0 run to make the score 14-11. Their advantage was short lived, however, as Elon closed the first quarter with a 10-0 run to take a seven-point advantage going into the second (21-14).
-Elon took a double-digit lead as it outscored N.C. A&T 12-7 to make the score 33-21. As time ran out. the Aggies managed cut the maroon and gold's lead in half going into halftime.
-Elon maintained at least a five-point lead throughout the third quarter but pushed it to 10 at 52-42 on a
Brie Perpignan three-pointer with 2:29 left. N.C. A&T, though, closed the period with a 6-1 run to make it 53-48 going into the fourth.
-Again the Phoenix built a double-digit lead on Perpignan's lay-up with 8:37 to play that made it 60-50. N.C. A&T whittled away at the deficit and hit a jumper with 1:50 to play that got them within four at 70-66. After an Elon turnover, the Aggies missed a lay-up that opened the door for Elon.
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Vanessa Taylor and
Ariana Nance hit back-to-back three-pointers and Elon closed out the Aggies 76-66.
NOTES
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Ariana Nance paced the maroon and gold offense, setting new career highs in points (19), field goals (6), three pointers (5) and assists (4). The other three double-digit scorers for the maroon and gold included
Evonna McGill (16),
Brie Perpignan (16) and
Kayla Liles (10).
-Defensively, McGill led the team in blocks (2), while Liles matched her season high in steals with three for a game high.
-Collectively, Elon shot 52.8 percent from the field (28-53) and 52.6 percent from beyond the arc (10-19).
-Smith (173-130) surpassed Brenda Paul (172-225) in the rankings. Paul was the head coach of the Phoenix from 1994-2008.
-With the win, Elon improves to 4-0, marking the best start for the maroon and gold since the 2017-18 season when the Phoenix started out 5-0.
UP NEXT
Elon travels to #1 South Carolina for a 3 p.m. matchup against the Gamecocks on Friday, Nov. 26.
--ELON--
