ELON, N.C. —  Laila Anderson led the team with 23 points, while Raven Preston recorded her second double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Elon women's basketball team to a 66-63 victory over Kent State on Saturday night.
 
Elon 66, Kent State 63
THE RUNDOWN

• Kamryn Doty got the Phoenix on the board early with a three-pointer, giving Elon a quick 3-0 lead. After a Kent State basket, Raven Preston followed with a three-pointer and converted an and-one to push the Phoenix ahead 9-2. The Golden Flashes responded with a 10-3 run to tie the game at 12-12. Preston ended the quarter by sinking a free throw with two seconds remaining, giving Elon a 13-12 advantage heading into the second quarter.
• Kent State opened the second quarter with a basket to take a 14-13 lead and followed with a 4-1 run to extend their advantage to 18-14 with 7:45 remaining. The teams exchanged baskets before consecutive scores from Iycez Adams and Ruby Willard brought Elon within one at 21-20. Kent State responded with free throws, and the teams continued to trade points, with the Golden Flashes holding a 25-22 lead at halftime.
• The Phoenix opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run fueled by three consecutive team steals and baskets from Laila Anderson, giving Elon a 28-25 lead. The Golden Flashes quickly responded, tying the game at 29-29. Kent State followed with a 7-1 run to take a 36-30 advantage. Elon answered with a 9-0 run, capped by an Alyssa Ervin layup, to regain the lead at 39-36. Kent State edged ahead 42-41 with 1:14 left in the quarter, but a three-pointer from Raven Preston and free throws from Maraja Pass gave Elon a 46-42 lead entering the final 10 minutes.
• The Golden Flashes opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run, pulling ahead 50-46. Laila Anderson responded with a clutch three-pointer to bring Elon within one at 50-49. The teams traded baskets before Elon found themselves trailing 56-53 with 4:40 remaining. The Phoenix answered with a 6-0 run to take a 59-56 lead. Both teams battled down the stretch, with a key jumper from Raven Preston putting Elon ahead 61-60 with one minute left. The Phoenix sank key free-throws in the final moments to secure a 66-63 victory.

NOTES

• The Phoenix returned the same starters in Iycez Adams, Laila Anderson, Kamryn Doty, Maraja Pass and Raven Preston.
• Anderson led the Phoenix 23 points, shooting 8-for-12 from the field.
• Preston posted her second consecutive double-double, contributing 21 points and 11 rebounds while also leading the team with five steals.
• Pass paced the team with five assists while Adams registered a team-high three blocks.
• The Phoenix defense forced a season-high 26 turnovers, recording a season-best 18 steals.
• This marks the first time since the 2022-23 season that Elon has started 3-0 at Schar Center.

UP NEXT

• The maroon and gold will travel to Blacksburg next Saturday, November 23, to face the Virginia Tech Hokies. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.