HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Elon University women's basketball team came out on top against High Point in its season opener on Nov. 9, 68-66.
 
"It feels really good to open the season with a road win," said head coach Charlotte Smith. "Our primary focus was to limit their three-point opportunities and control the boards. We did a really good job of being aggressive to get paint points and not settling for the three ball."

THE RUNDOWN
-With the Panthers leading by two through two minutes of play (6-4), High Point went on a 7-2 run to take a 13-6 lead. The Panthers maintained their momentum for the remainder of the quarter with a 20-15 advantage heading into the second period.
-Elon was quick to respond as Brie Perpignan kickstarted a 7-2 run with a jumper in the paint. Following a layup by High Point, a second field goal from Perpignan and a three ball from newcomer Ajia James tied the game at 22 with 5:15 remaining in the half.
-As time ran out, the Panthers grew its lead back out to six. But the Phoenix outscored High Point 9-2 to take a 33-32 lead going into intermission.
-Elon took its largest lead of the game in the fourth quarter following a 10-4 run to increase its lead to seven (62-55). The Panthers made one final comeback to regain the lead (66-64). However, Evonna McGill scored the final four points of the game, including two free throws with three seconds on the clock to secure the win.   
 
NOTES
-Perpignan paced the maroon and gold in scoring with 23 points, posting a career-high nine field goals on the night. The senior also finished just one assist shy of per personal best with six in addition to tying McGill for the team-high in rebounds (7).
-Other double-digit scorers included McGill (15) and Ariana Nance (12). McGill went 5-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from behind the charity stripe, while Nance made three-of-eight field goals and all five free throws. Nance also tied her personal best in blocks (2).
-Both Bria Harmon and James made their debuts in the maroon and gold uniform. The duo combined for seven points, two rebounds and one steal.
-Maya Johnson led Elon in blocks with three, matching her career-high.
-Collectively, the Phoenix scored 32 points in the paint in addition to collecting 12 points off turnovers.
-Tonight's game was the first regular-season matchup inside High Point's newly-built Qubein Center.
-Smith's all-time record now stands at 170-130, just three wins away from breaking the program record for all-time wins.
-With the win, the Phoenix improves to 1-0 on the season, while the Panthers fall to 0-1.   
 
UP NEXT
Elon returns to Schar Center to host Howard in its home opener on Monday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.