NC State Takes Win Over Elon WBB Phoenix in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Elon women’s basketball team was able to keep the game tight the first portion of the first half at nearby North Carolina State today, Dec. 7, before falling to the Wolfpack by a 84-51 final in Reynolds Coliseum.

Elon (4-2) went 20-of-55 from the field to shoot 36 percent for the game, including seven threes from long distance for a 30 percent mark. The Phoenix was only sent to the line eight times and converted half of the shots, while tallying a season-high 11 blocks on defense.

The Wolfpack (6-3) shot 47 percent (30-of-64), the best mark against the Phoenix this season, and hit 8-of-20 from three-point range to shoot 40 percent. NCSU hit 16-of-21 attempts from the charity stripe for a 76.2 percentage and claimed the advantage on the boards, 41-36.

“I felt like NC State did a tremendous job of playing together,” said Elon head coach Charlotte Smith. “They were able to capitalize off a lot of our mistakes in the first half and that gave them a lot of momentum.”

Three Elon players finished in double figures with Zora Stephenson leading the way with 14 points after a 5-of-8 day from the field and a 4-of-6 mark from beyond the arc. Shay Burnett posted her third straight game with 10+ points with 10 points and a career-high six assists. Jenifer Rhodes also contributed 10 points (5-of-7 from the field) and tallied three blocks. Sam Coffer hauled down a game-high 10 rebounds and also posted three blocks. Every available player for the Phoenix saw time in the game.

After the Wolfpack scored the first basket, the Phoenix answered with a three by Burnett and a layup by Rhodes to take a 5-2 lead. A score from long distance by Stephenson increased the maroon and gold advantage to four, 8-4, with 15:56 on the clock. The lead would go back and forth with Elon layups by Lenaira Ruffin and Burnett, while the Wolfpack answered back with threes.

A layup by Rhodes with 9:27 remaining in the half put the Phoenix within one, 17-16, before NC State used a 17-0 run to pull ahead 34-16. Coffer hit a three with 75 seconds left on the clock to end the draught for Elon as the Wolfpack took a 38-22 lead into the break.

The Phoenix shot 32 percent in the first frame, while NC State hit 47 percent. Both teams held a 25 percent mark from three and the rebounding battle was even at 20-all.

Scores by Rhodes and Burnett at the beginning of the second half kept the Phoenix within 20, 46-26, before the Wolfpack was able to move its advantage to 25, 54-29, with just under 14 minutes remaining.

A pair of made free throws by Lauren Brown started a 6-0 run for the Phoenix that included jumpers by both Burnett and Stephenson to cut the deficit to 18 points, 65-47, with 5:28 to play. However, Elon was not able to get any closer as the Wolfpack held on to take the victory.

Elon returns home for its next game on Sunday, Dec. 14, to host Vanderbilt – the first Southeastern Conference opponent to play in Alumni Gym for a women’s basketball game. Tip for the Phoenix and Commodores is set for 2 p.m.

2 thoughts on “NC State Takes Win Over Elon WBB Phoenix in Raleigh

  1. Akela Maize(Dudley/New Hope Christian Academy) with 2 points/3 rebounds for N.C. State, while Shay Burnett(Southern Alamance) with 10 points and 6 assists for Elon, plus Sam Coffer(Northern Guilford HS) had 3 points and 10 rebounds for Elon….
    State wins it over Elon, 84-51…..

    Paris Kea(Page HS) and Vanderbilt at Elon next Sunday afternoon…..

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