Johnson, Three Pointers Lead Elon WBB Over Campbell

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – With the help of eight second-half threes and a career-high 22 points from Malaya Johnson, the Elon women’s basketball team (5-3) snapped a three-game losing skid with a 77-51 win over Campbell (5-4) today, Dec. 17, in Gore Arena.

The Phoenix went 31-of-56 from the field to shoot a season-high 55 percent, including a 36-26 advantage in the paint, and tied its season high with a 10-of-24 performance from beyond the arc to finish with a 42 percent mark. Elon was only sent to the line seven times but converted five shots to finish 71 percent. The maroon and gold won on the glass, 39-30, and saw 20 points from its bench.

“The post game was a point of emphasis for us – getting the ball inside and being aggressive,” said Elon head coach Charlotte Smith. I felt like we did a good job of going inside, demanding the ball and getting penetration. We shot the ball well tonight and we feed off of making shots. We have to find a way when we’re not making shots to get some energy.”

Johnson finished the game 10-of-12 from the field and 2-of-3 from the line, along with career-high six rebounds and three assists. Zora Stephenson recorded five of Elon’s baskets from long distance for a 5-of-10 mark from three to finish with a season-high 17 points. Shay Burnett and Lauren Brown both contributed 11 points to make it four players in double figures for the Phoenix. Essence Baucom hauled down a game and career-high nine rebounds and handed out five assists.

Campbell finished 21-of-59 from the field to shoot 36 percent and was held to only two threes for a 15 percent clip.

With the help of eight points by Johnson in the first six minutes, the Phoenix moved ahead by five, 12-7. The Lady Camels pulled within two, 16-14, at the 11:34 mark before a three by Brown sparked an 18-4 run that spanned almost eight minutes for the maroon and gold to take a 16-point advantage, 34-18. Campbell was able to shave its deficit by one, giving the Phoenix a 15-point lead, 39-24, at the break.

Elon shot 57 percent (17-of-30) in the opening frame, including a 25 percent mark from three, and went 75 percent from the free-throw line. The Lady Camels went 10-of-34 from the field for a 29 percent mark and was held to 13 percent from long distance. The Phoenix held the advantage on the boards, 25-15.

Johnson started the second half with the same momentum and scored the team’s first four points to put the Phoenix up 43-24. With 13:52 on the clock, the Camels trimmed the Elon lead to 14, 51-37, but a three by Stephenson halted the Campbell run. Stephenson hit her third triple of the half followed by another Elon three from Brown to move ahead 57-37 with under 13 minutes to play.

The Lady Camels would only come as close as 15 with 11:49 remaining before threes by Sam Coffer, Burnett, Brown and Stephenson helped put the game away for the Phoenix and move Elon to the 26-point victory.

Elon remains on the road for its next game when Smith faces her alma mater as the Phoenix plays No. 6 North Carolina on Sunday, Dec. 21. Tip is set for 3 p.m. in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.