HIGH POINT, N.C. – Another 20-point performance from Maraja Pass lead the Elon University women's basketball team (4-9) to a 77-64 victory over High Point (5-8) to close out its non-conference schedule on Dec. 30.
 
Pass led three Phoenix players in double figures with 20 points going 6-for-10 from the floor and 8-for-13 from the free-throw line while also contributing a team-high eight assists. Iycez Adams added 13 points and led the team on the glass with seven rebounds while Regina Walton added 11 points and three assists.
 
"I am really proud of the way we played today coming off of an extended Christmas break. I feel like we were really focused and we came out and played with a lot of energy," said head coach Charlotte Smith. "We got out to a great start in the first half which gave us momentum going into the second half. We shot the ball really well and Maraja Pass continues to be our fearless leader. We are just excited to be entering into conference play taking positive momentum and going into the new year with a win." 
 
 THE RUNDOWN

• A three-pointer from Ajia James put the Phoenix on the board first and was only the start as they eventually extended out to a commanding 16-4 lead midway through the opening quarter. High Point chipped away at the deficit, but the Elon finished on top 22-16 after the first 10 minutes of play.
• The maroon and gold again struck first in the second quarter thanks to a jump shot from Maraja Pass. With the score at 28-26 in favor of Elon, the Phoenix went on a 16-2 run to close the half leading 44-28 over the Panthers. In the first half, the Phoenix shot a strong 70.4% (19-for-27) from the floor and 80% (4-for-5) from the three-point line while forcing 11 Panther turnovers.
• High Point outscored Elon in the third quarter 22-15 to cut Elon's lead to single digits at 59-50 before a second-chance layup from Regina Walton put Elon ahead 61-50 entering the final quarter.
• Pass quickly extended Elon's lead to 13 making two free-throws before High Point responded with a 7-1 run to get within seven points at 64-57 with 7:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Panthers continued to fight back, cutting the Phoenix's lead to four, 68-64, but that's as close as they would get. With just under 30 seconds left in the game, Elon took care of business at the free-throw line to seal a 74-64 victory.

NOTES

• Maraja Pass was one point shy of her career-high in points with 20, her sixth consecutive game in double figures while flirting with another double-double leading the team with eight assists.
• Iycez Adams continued to pace the team on the glass grabbing seven boards while adding two blocks and 13 points shooting 6-for-10 from the floor.
• Regina Walton hit double figures for the first time in her career scoring 11 points going 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.
• Maya Johnson matched her season-high in points with eight while Diamond Monroe and Vanessa Taylor each added six points off the bench for the Phoenix.
• Jessica Booth along with Adams and Pass shared the team-lead in steals with two each.
• Elon's 70.4% field-goal percentage in the first half is a season-high and best percentage in a half since the team shot 70.3% (19-for-27) in the second half against College of Charleston on Feb. 9, 2020.
• The Phoenix outnumbered High Point in steals (10-6) and defensive rebounds (23-18) while forcing 19 turnovers.
• Elon shot a season-high 62.5% (5-for-8) from downtown while shooting its second highest percentage of the season from the floor going 28-for-52 (53.8%). 

UP NEXT

• The Phoenix will open CAA play next weekend as they host Towson on Friday, Jan. 5 inside Schar Center. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will stream on FloHoops.