ELON, N.C. — The Elon University women's basketball team (8-16, 4,7) had their best three-point performance of the season, but it was not enough to defeat the UNCW Seahawks (5-17, 3-8). The Phoenix made a season-high 12 three-pointers, five coming from Diamond Monroe.
 
Monroe led the Phoenix scoring 17 points going 5-for-10 from the three-point line. Vanessa Taylor reached double-figures for the second consecutive game with 10 points. Monroe and Ruby Willard shared the team-lead with six boards apiece.
 
"Today is always a special day where we get to honor survivors and the legacy of the late Kay Yow," said head coach Charlotte Smith. "We fight to win games, while there are others who fight for life. We honor them and are grateful that they were here today to support Elon WBB."

THE RUNDOWN

• UNCW came out to a quick 9-0 lead in the first quarter before back-to-back three-pointers from Ruby Willard and Diamond Monroe cut the Seahawks lead to three at 9-6. Each team traded baskets before a pull-up jumper from Maraja Pass got the Phoenix within one at 14-13 to eventually ending the quarter.
• The Seahawks scored first in the second quarter, but Elon gained momentum with an 8-2 run including back-to-back threes from Pass to give Elon their first lead of the game at 21-20. UNCW responded with a 6-0 run to retake the lead at 27-21. A set of free-throws from the Phoenix closed the gap to 27-24 entering the half.
• Again, UNCW came out to a 7-0 run to start the third quarter. Elon chipped away at the deficit and again made it a two-point game at 39-37 with back-to-back baskets from Vanessa Taylor. Elon trailed 42-39 entering the final 10 minutes of play.
• An immediate Monroe three-pointer would tie the game at 42-42 to start the fourth quarter. The teams battled back and forth on both sides of the court with the Phoenix trailing 52-50 midway through the frame. Elon quickly responded, going on a 5-0 to take the lead back 55-52. UNCW gained a 60-55 advantage before Monroe sank another bucket from beyond the arc with 16 seconds remaining. Pass recorded a steal with 14 seconds left but ultimately the Phoenix came up short falling 60-58 to the Seahawks.

NOTES

• Ajia James returned the starting lineup for the Phoenix alongside Iycez Adams, Maya Johnson, Maraja Pass and Vanessa Taylor. 
• Diamond Monroe had a career night scoring 17 points going 5-for-10 from downtown.
• Monroe along with Ruby Willard paced the team on the glass grabbing six rebounds apiece, a career-high for Willard. 
• Vanessa Taylor recorded double-figures for the second consecutive contest with 10 points going 4-for-9 from the field. 
• Regina Walton finished with a career-high seven assists followed by Pass with four. 
• Elon's 12 three-pointers are the most so far this season. 
• As a team, the Phoenix outnumbered the Seahawks in rebounds (39-38), steals (8-5) and points off the bench (26-5).

UP NEXT

• The Phoenix travel north for a matchup against Northeastern on Friday, Feb. 16 before traveling to Stony Brook on Sunday, Feb. 18. The contest against the Huskies is set for 7 p.m. while Sunday's matchup is slated for a 1 p.m. tip.