Elon Phoenix Women’s Basketball Resumes SoCon Play at UNCG Saturday

ELON, N.C. – After a four-game break from Southern Conference play, the Elon women’s basketball team (5-8, 1-1) begins the 2014 portion of its season on Saturday, Jan. 4, at local league-rival UNCG (4-8. 0-2) in a 2 p.m. tip.

Elon at UNCG
Date: Saturday, Jan. 4
Time: 2 p.m.
Site: Greensboro, N.C. (Fleming Gym)
Series: UNCG leads, 23-19
Last Meeting: Feb. 16, 2013 – Elon won, 70-57
Radio: WSOE – 89.3 FM – Matt Krause will have the call

Last Time Out
Elon dropped a heartbreaker in its last outing on Dec. 31, falling to North Carolina A&T, 58-57. The Phoenix led by as much as 11 points with less than eight minutes remaining, but the Aggies climbed back and took the advantage with a minute to go. A three at the buzzer by Kelsey Harris was not enough as there was no foul on the play and left Elon down by one.

Scouting the Spartans
UNCG is 4-9 (0-2 SoCon) on the season after dropping its last game against Tulsa, 76-71. The Spartans have picked up wins over former SoCon team College of Charleston and local-triad opponent High Point. UNCG is led in scoring by Janae’ Stevenson and preseason All-SoCon selection Lucy Mason who both average over 12 points a game.

The Series
The Spartans are the owners of the all-time series, 23-19, which will see its 42nd meeting between the two teams on Saturday. However, Elon has won the last four games by an average of almost 14 points. The last Spartan win was on Feb. 10, 2011.

Two-time Honoree
For the second time of the season, Jenifer Rhodes was named the SoCon CRONS Freshman of Week on Dec. 31. The freshman averaged 10.3 points a game in Elon’s three games from Dec. 17-30. She went 14-of-22 from the field in that span to shoot 64 percent, while also going 50 percent from the free-throw line. In a win over Campbell, Rhodes tied a career high going 7-for-9 for a 78 percent shooting mark and scored 14 points. Despite a loss at West Virginia, she posted double figures with 10 points in that effort. The North Charleston, S.C., native also hauled down 14 boards in those three games. Rhodes is currently the top scoring freshman in the league.

Full SoCon Ahead
The Phoenix will play all conference games for the remainder of the season. Elon has played two games of the 16-game SoCon slate for 2013-14 so far. Regular-season games will end on Sunday, March 2, before the tournament begins on Friday, March 7, in Asheville, N.C.

Looking Ahead
Elon will play next at Davidson on Saturday, Jan. 11, in Belk Arena. Tip is set for 2 p.m.