BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Elon Phoenix (5-11, 1-2) earned a tough, physical win over the Campbell Camels (7-7, 0-3) Friday night in Buies Creek. The Phoenix prevailed, 45-44, following a last second defensive stop which gave Elon their first conference win of the season and gave Head Coach Charlotte Smith the 200th win during her Elon tenure. 

Iycez Adams and Vanessa Taylor led the Phoenix in scoring, each hitting double figures with 10. Taylor also paced the team with a season-high eight rebounds and career-high five steals. 

"The game tonight was definitely a nail-biter and I'm just really excited we were able to come out on the side of victory," said Smith. "It was a valiant effort defensively. We locked in and had some good defensive stops down the stretch. Hopefully we can continue that momentum going into Sunday's game and on the offensive side of things confidently knock down shots." 

THE RUNDOWN

• The Lady Camels outscored the Phoenix in the opening quarter 16-9 with nine of their points coming from beyond the arc.  
• Campbell pulled ahead 20-12 before back-to-back layups from Vanessa Taylor cut the Lady Camels' lead to four. With five minutes remaining in the second quarter each team traded baskets with Campbell ahead 28-24 going into the locker room. 
• Elon came out of the break with a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game. Campbell responded eventually tying the score at 33-33. Again, Taylor sparked the offense for the Phoenix scoring back-to-back baskets to put Elon ahead 39-33. The maroon and gold kept a 39-36 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
• The Lady Camels took the lead at the beginning of the fourth 40-41 before a jumper from Iycez Adams gave the lead back to Elon. Back-to-back scores from Campbell put them ahead 44-41 but the Phoenix quickly responded with a jumper from Regina Walton and an Adams' layup to secure the 45-44 victory. 

NOTES

• Elon returned the same starters in tonight's game in Iycez Adams, Jessica Booth, Maya Johnson, Maraja Pass and Vanessa Taylor.
• Adams led the team along with Taylor for a game-high 10 points, this is Adams' eighth time in double-figures and Taylor's second this season. 
• Taylor also added a career-high five steals and a season-high eight boards to lead the Phoenix. 
• Elon outnumbered Campell on the boards 17-15 in the first half while also forcing seven turnovers on five steals. 
• As a team, the Phoenix overpowered the Lady Camels in rebounds (39-34), steals (11-5) and blocks (3-1). 
• Elon has now forced 15 or more turnovers from their opponents in 12 games this season, including two CAA opponents. 

UP NEXT

• The Phoenix returns to Schar Center on Sunday afternoon to take on William & Mary at 1 p.m.