BOSTON MASS. -- Ruby Willard's career-night of 15 points and six rebounds helped propel the Elon women's basketball team (9-16, 5-7) to a 53-37 victory over Northeastern (8-14, 4-8).

The Phoenix made eight three-pointers with Willard going 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Ajia James followed with 12 points and a season-high nine boards to pace the team on the glass. 

THE RUNDOWN

• The Huskies got out to a quick 7-0 advantage in the opening quarter before back-to-back buckets from Ajia James got the Phoenix within two. With just over four minutes left in the quarter, Northeastern gained a 14-5 lead. Elon battled back with a 7-0 run but ultimately trailed the Huskies 16-12 after the first ten minutes.
• A Diamond Monroe layup would start the second quarter and the Phoenix would gain their first lead of the game at 22-21 with a three-point play from Hannah Dereje. Elon would maintain the lead through the second quarter and enter halftime with a 30-28 lead. 
• The third quarter was scoreless until an and-one from Maya Johnson gave the Phoenix an energy they would not lose. Elon held Northeastern to only two points the entire quarter and took a strong 43-30 lead heading into the final quarter.
• Ruby Willard scored her fourth triple of the night to start the fourth quarter extending the Phoenix lead to 16. Back-to-back three-point baskets from Willard and James would give Elon a 17-point cushion at 52-33 with 3:39 left in the contest. Elon only allowed four more points to the Huskies securing a 53-37 victory. 

NOTES

• Regina Walton, Ajia James, Diamond Monroe, Vanessa Taylor and Maya Johnson started for the Phoenix.
• Ruby Willard netted a career-high 15 points going 5-for-9 from the floor, with all of her points coming from beyond the arc. 
• James reached double-figures for the eighth time this season and led the Phoenix on the glass with a season-high nine rebounds. 
• Hannah Dereje scored a career-high nine points while also grabbing four rebounds. 
• The Phoenix outnumbered the Huskies in rebounds (41-34) and assists (13-12).
• Northeastern's 37 points were the fewest points Elon has allowed since their 2019 opening game against Western Carolina.

UP NEXT

• The maroon and gold travels to Stony Brook on Sunday, Feb. 18, for a 1 p.m. contents against the Seawolves.

-- ELON --