Elon Women’s Basketball Phoenix Faces Road Test at Charlotte Friday

ELON, N.C. – The Elon women’s basketball team is off to a 2-0 start for the second time in as many years after a pair of wins over the season’s opening weekend. The Phoenix plays its first road game on Friday, Nov. 21, when it travels to Charlotte, N.C., to take on the 49ers of Charlotte (1-1) in a 7 p.m. tip.

Last Time Out
Elon topped Navy 69-56 on Sunday to wrap up the opening weekend of the 2014-15 season. The Phoenix saw a 15 point performance from Sam Coffer, who went 7-of-12 to finish with a 58.3 field-goal percentage to go along with five rebounds, four assists, one block and a career-high tying four steals. Lauren Brown tallied 13 points, including a 2-for-2 mark from three, and a career-high seven rebounds, while Essence Baucom was the third player in double figures with 10 points.

Scouting the 49ers
Charlotte won its season opener, 79-77, at Liberty last Friday before suffering a setback against NC State on Tuesday, 70-63. The 49ers are shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 47.2 percent from beyond the arc. Senior Hillary Sigman is averaging 20 points a game after putting up 27 points off nine field goals and six free throws against the Wolfpack. Lefty Webster is also scoring in double figures for the 49ers with 14.5 points/game, while Kira Gordon is the leader on the boards with 8.5 rebounds per game.

The Series
Friday will be the seventh all-time meeting between Elon and Charlotte. The 49ers own the series record, 4-2, and claimed the victory, 89-58, that last time the teams played on Nov. 19, 2011, in Charlotte, N.C.

Painted Points
Elon has been dominating in the paint so far this season. The Phoenix is outscoring opponents, 70-40, in points in the paint.

Starting 2-0
The Phoenix is off to a 2-0 start for just the fifth time since moving to the Division I level. Elon picked up wins over Winston-Salem State and UNC Wilmington in its first two games last season, while also starting 2-0 in 2011, 2010 and 2005.

Head Coach Charlotte Smith
Elon head coach Charlotte Smith is in her fourth season with the Phoenix and owns a 52-44 career record. Smith led Elon to its second straight Southern Conference Tournament semifinal appearance and a 10-8 overall conference record last season.

Looking Ahead
The Phoenix returns to Alumni Gym to host Liberty in its next game on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Tip is set for 7 p.m.