ELON, N.C. – Iycez Adams and Ajia James tallied a game-high 13 points apiece and the Elon women's basketball team (3-9) grabbed a season-high 56 rebounds to grind out a 65-39 victory against Mount Olive (3-5) on Tuesday afternoon in Schar Center.
 
Adams went 5-for-7 from the floor while James went 5-for-15 going 3-for-8 from beyond the arc to lead the Phoenix. They were followed by Maraja Pass who recorded 10 points, her sixth double-figure game this season.
 
Hannah Dereje had a career-high day scoring eight points going 3-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line while also grabbing seven rebounds.
 
"Overall, I'm pleased with the team's effort today. It feels really good to end the year with a win and get to go home and celebrate time with our family and loved ones," said head coach Charlotte Smith. "This season put everything into perspective, in terms of it being bigger than basketball, we are definitely excited we are a basketball family. We have been resilient throughout the nonconference schedule despite all of the setbacks that we have had to overcome. I am very proud of this team, and we are happy to end the year with a win."
 
THE RUNDOWN

• The Phoenix began the opening quarter on a 9-0 run to pull ahead of the Trojans. Following a three-pointer from Mount Olive, Elon closed the quarter on a 7-0 run thanks to a layup from Ava Leroux, a three from Ajia James and a layup from Maraja Pass to put Elon up 16-3. As a team, the maroon and gold forced eight turnovers while shooting 43.8 percent (7-for-16) from the floor and outrebounded Mount Olive 11-7.
• The Trojans got on the board first in the second quarter before back-to-back layups from Hannah Dereje extended the Phoenix lead to 20-6. Iycez Adams finished the quarter with six straight points as Elon closed the half up 26-12. Eight of the 11 made baskets were assisted by the Phoenix with five coming from Pass.
• James started the third quarter for Elon with back-to-back triples extending the lead to 18 at 32-14. In the remainder of the quarter, the Phoenix outscored the Trojans 16-12 to maintain a 48-26 lead entering the last 10 minutes of play.
• Elon outscored Mount Olive 17-13 in the fourth quarter to secure a 65-39 victory.

NOTES

• Maya Johnson returned to the starting lineup joined by Iycez Adams, Ajia James, Maraja Pass and Regina Walton.
• Adams and James tied for the team lead in scoring with 13 points apiece, both players have scored double figures in back-to-back contests.
• Hannah Dereje flirted with a double-double recording career-highs in both points (8) and rebounds (7).
• Every Elon player that saw the court had at least four boards led by Dereje (7) and Adams (8).
• For the second consecutive game, Pass has scored at least 10 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out seven assists.
• As a team, Elon outrebounded the Trojans 56-27, their highest rebounding margin of the season (+29).
• Twelve is the lowest allowed points in a half since Elon allowed eight to Western Carolina in 2019.
• The 26-point margin of victory is the largest since the Phoenix defeated Gardner-Webb by 28 (88-60) in 2020.

UP NEXT

• The Phoenix takes an 11-day break from game action before traveling to High Point for a matchup against the Panthers Saturday, Dec. 30. That contest is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will air on ESPN+.