Elon, N.C. – The Elon University women's basketball team held UNCW to its second-lowest scoring output of conference play, earning a 52-42 win Thursday. Elon improved to 9-19 (5-12 CAA) with the win while UNCW fell to 5-23 (2-15 CAA).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams started hot and a Kamryn Doty three-pointer gave Elon a 7-4 lead just two minutes into play. But the offenses stalled until late in the first quarter. Bria Harmon made a jumper with 30 seconds left that brought Elon within one and then Lenaejha Evans connected on a shot just inside halfcourt as the buzzer sounded for a 14-12 Phoenix lead.
• Elon would never trail again and, although the Phoenix flirted with a blowout at various times, UNCW battled back when needed.
• Evans scored on back-to-back possessions midway through the second quarter and Elon led 24-16 but UNCW scored five straight before a pair of Evans free-throws late for a 26-21 Elon halftime lead.
• In the third quarter, Ajia James gave Elon its first double-digit lead of the contest on a three-pointer with 4:06 to go. At that point, the Phoenix led 35-24 and then James made another three with 13 seconds to play in the third to push the lead to 13, 40-27.
• Elon's lead ballooned to 16 at 48-32 with 4:10 to go but UNCW turned up the defensive pressure and went on a 10-0 run over the next three minutes.
• Bria Harmon closed the game out by making four consecutive free-throws in the waning moments for the 52-42 victory.

 
STATS AND NOTES

• Lenaejha Evans had a game-high 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting. She added three rebounds and two steals. It was Evans' team-best 19^th double-digit scoring game of the season.
• Evonna McGill battled through foul trouble to finish in double-figures with 10 points in just 12 minutes of action.
• Chloe Williams had a team-high eight rebounds for Elon.
• Ajia James ended with eight points and seven rebounds to go with a steal and a block.
• Elon held UNCW to 27 percent shooting and 2-of-14 three-pointers.
• UNCW outrebounded Elon 41-35 and had one fewer turnover than the Phoenix.
• Elon now leads the all-time series with UNCW, 16-8.
• Elon won its final home regular season game of the year for the fourth straight season.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon will close the regular season at Towson Saturday at 1 p.m.
• The Phoenix will then compete in the conference tournament at SECU Arena in Towson, Md. The tournament begins with the No. 12 vs. No. 13 game on Wednesday, March 8. The second round takes place the next day.