ELON, N.C. – Elon University women's basketball (8-17, 4-10 CAA) delivered a nine-point win inside Schar Center on Friday, Feb. 17 as it edged Monmouth (12-13, 7-7 CAA) 57-48.
 
Lenaejha Evans paced the Phoenix offense with 17 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field to tie her season high. Her scoring marked her fifth double-digit scoring performance in a row and 16^th of the season. Evonna McGill also posted 14 points in addition to three blocks, three assists and five rebounds.
 
Brianna Tinsley led the Hawks with 11 points on the night in addition to tying Lucy Thomas for the game high in steals (3).
 
THE RUNDOWN

• The two teams traded points to start the game, with Monmouth holding a 6-4 advantage with 6:34 on the clock. The maroon and gold would then go on an 8-0 run, which was capped by a layup from Vanessa Taylor (12-6). But the Hawks scored six consecutive points of their own to tie the game at 12 (0:24). Evans closed the quarter with a field goal in the final seconds to put Elon up by two heading into the second period (14-12).    
• With the score tied at 16, Kamryn Doty ignited a 9-2 run with a pair of free throws to push the Elon lead up to seven with 2:48 remaining in the half (25-18). Elon held on to its lead the rest of the quarter as the Phoenix went into the locker room a six-point advantage (29-23).
• Evans came out of the break hot as she scored six straight points in the first three minutes of the third quarter to grow the Phoenix lead to 10 (35-25). The Hawks managed to come within six points of the maroon and gold, but field goals from McGill, Evans and Taylor kept Elon in front by nine heading into the final 10 minutes of play (44-35).
• Monmouth made a final attempt to regain the lead in the in the fourth quarter with an 11-6 run to cut Elon's advantage to four (50-46), but the Phoenix ended the contest outscoring the Hawks 7-2 as time ran out to secure the win.

NOTES

• Elon registered 40 of its 57 points in the paint, marking the highest for the maroon and gold since facing NC Central Nov. 27, 2022 (60).
• The Phoenix defense held Monmouth to its second-lowest field goal percentage (.315) and scoring output (48) of the season. The Hawks have now scored under 50 points in two games during its 2022-23 campaign.
• The game was the fifth time Elon held an opponent to three or less three pointers.
• The Phoenix matched its season high for blocks in a game (7).
• McGill's blocks marked a new season best. Her blocks also tied for the team best on the season. Maya Johnson tallied three blocks against Howard on Dec. 2, 2022.  
• Raven Preston once again nearly finished the night with a double-double, tallying 11 points and eight rebounds over the course of the contest. She also paced the team in steals (2).
• Monmouth didn't record a field goal in the final 3:54.

UP NEXT

• Elon will host College of Charleston in its Play4Kay game at 2 p.m. on Senior Day this Sunday, Feb. 19. Taylor, Johnson, Evans, Bria Harmon and McGill will be honored postgame for contributions to the program.