WILMINGTON, N.C. – Jenifer Rhodes recorded her first career double-double to help the Elon University women’s basketball team to a 75-64 victory over the UNC Wilmington Seahawks on Wednesday night, Nov. 13, at Trask Coliseum.
Elon (2-0) opened up a double-digit lead late in the game behind Rhodes’ play in the paint and on defense, as the rookie ended the night with 12 points, 10 boards and three blocked shots. Senior Kelsey Harris led the Phoenix with 16 points, while rookie Lauren Brown posted 13 points in a wining effort.
“We played a complete game tonight and came up with a solid road win,” said Elon head coach Charlotte Smith. “I’m very excited about the way Jenifer [Rhodes] and Lauren [Brown] played. They weren’t intimidated and played aggressive with a veteran poise. I’m proud of the way Kelsey [Harris] led us tonight as a senior. She really steadies things for us and has the intangibles you want in a player.”
Elon shot 44 percent from the field in the win and won the battle on the glass, 38-35.
On defense, the Phoenix forced the Seahawks into 19 turnovers and limited the opposition to 2-of-16 shooting from beyond the arc.
The two teams jockeyed for position in the opening frame, but the Phoenix managed to pull away late in the half to take a 32-28 advantage into the locker room at intermission.
Harris and Brown led the Phoenix with seven points in the first 20 minutes, as Elon shot 45 percent from the field. The Elon bench was key in the first half, outscoring its counterparts, 11-1.
Sam Coffer gave the Phoenix a six-point lead with less than 13 minutes remaining in the second period after connecting on a jumper from the elbow to make it a 47-41 game.
Rhodes pushed the Phoenix out to a 10-point lead with less than nine minutes to play after going to work in the paint for a layup that made it a 57-47 game.
Elon forced a UNCW timeout with 5:41 remaining after a Brown layup gave the Phoenix a 64-51 advantage.
The Seahawks managed to make it a six-point game with 2:28 to play after a Kelva Atkins layup on a fast-break, but the Phoenix managed to keep UNCW in check for the duration of the game to secure the win.
Elon hits the road for its next game on Sunday, Nov. 17, at VCU.