ELON, N.C. – The Elon women’s basketball team (3-5, 1-0 SoCon) will look to make it a 2-0 start to the Southern Conference season as the Phoenix welcomes Chattanooga (7-3, 1-0 SoCon) to Alumni Gym on Monday, Dec. 16, for a 7 p.m. tip. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for all youth 12 and under.
Elon vs. Chattanooga
Date: Monday, Dec. 16
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: Elon, N.C. (Alumni Gym)
Series: Chattanooga leads, 18-3
Last Meeting: Feb. 9, 2013, in Chattanooga, Tenn. – Chattanooga won, 63-40
Radio: WSOE – 89.3 FM – Matt Krause will have the call
Last Time Out
The Phoenix snapped a five-game losing skid with a 71-61 victory over Samford on Saturday night. The Bulldogs pulled within three late in the game but threes by Zora Stephenson kept the maroon and gold in the lead and free throws down the stretch sealed the victory. Stephenson hits six threes for Elon on her way to a season-high 21 points. Kelsey Harris, Sam Coffer and Jenifer Rhodes also scored in double figures for the Phoenix.
Scouting the Lady Mocs
Chattanooga, the reigning conference champion, enters Monday’s game with a 7-3 overall record after an 86-53 win at UNCG on Saturday. The Lady Mocs are led by Taylor Hall, who is scoring 14 points and 9.7 rebounds per game and tallied a double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds) against the Spartans. Ashlen Dewart, the SoCon Preseason Player of the Year, is averaging 9.5 points a game, while only grabbing 4.4 boards, and owns a shooting percentage of 46. As a team, UTC is scoring 68.7 points per game and shooting 42.6 percent from the field.
The Series
Chattanooga holds a big advantage in the all-time series, 18-3, however, Elon has recorded its three wins in the last five years. The last time the two team’s played in Alumni Gym (Jan. 7, 2013), the maroon and gold came back from as much as a six-point deficit in the final minutes to send the game into overtime. Elon won the game 70-60 in an exciting overtime finish, handing the Lady Mocs its only conference loss of the season.
From Downtown
Zora Stephenson was on fire for the Phoenix on Saturday against Samford. The junior scored a season-high 23 points off an 8-of-13 performance from the field, including 6-of-8 from long distance. Her third three of the first half came at the buzzer after Lauren Brown grabbed a missed jumper by Stephenson, while her fifth of the game came after the Bulldogs pulled within three in the final five minutes.
SAAC Coat Drive
For the third straight year, the Elon Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is conducting its annual coat drive to benefit Allied Churches of Alamance County. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used coats to all home basketball games through Monday, Dec. 16. Other cold weather items such as hats, gloves and scarves are also greatly needed. A bin is available during all times in the concourse of the Koury Center to accept donations.
Looking Ahead
The Phoenix will remain at home for its next game against Campbell on Friday, Dec. 20. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Alumni Gym.