Elon WBB Phoenix Defense Stifles Rams in Exhibition Win

ELON, N.C. – The Elon women’s basketball defense allowed only 27 points and grabbed 16 steals en route to a 70-27 win over Winston-Salem State today, Nov. 8, in an exhibition game in Alumni Gym.

The maroon and gold finished 25-of-75 from the field for a 33.3 percent mark, while hitting six threes, and scoring 32 points in the paint and 26 points off turnovers. The Rams were held to 25.6 percent from the field (11-of-43) and 16 percent from beyond the arc (2-of-12), while turning the ball over 32 times. Elon won the battle on the glass, 51-36, and held a 17-2 advantage in second-chance points.

Jenifer Rhodes led the way for the Phoenix with a double-double after 12 points (5-of-9) and 10 rebounds. Josepha Mbouma scored 11 points and tallied a game-high six steals, while Shay Burnett finished with nine points, five boards and three assists. Elon saw baskets from 10 of the 12 players that saw action in the game, including 32 points from its bench.

“Overall, I’m pleased with the outcome of the game,” said Elon head coach Charlotte Smith. “We talked about our identity, what people to believe who we are, and wanted to make a statement that we are a defensive team. I felt like we came out with a lot of defensive intensity at the start of both halves and we want to put that together where we can play for 40 minutes with that intensity.”

Highlights
The Phoenix started the game with a 12-0 run in the first six minutes with the help of five points from rookie Nikki McDonald. A layup by Rhodes at the 2:07 mark put Elon up 15-2 to end the first period.

Mackenzie Darrah scored four points in the span of 27 seconds in the second period to put the maroon and gold up by 14, 19-6. A wide open three by Lauren Brown at the 4:25 mark moved the Phoenix to a 16-point lead, 24-8, before taking a 28-13 edge at the break.

Back-to-back steals and ensuing layups by Mbouma extended the Elon lead to 21, 36-15, with 7:58 left in the third. Essence Baucom finished up an old-fashioned three-point play to make it a 50-21 game with 73 seconds remaining as the Phoenix took a 52-21 advantage into the final period.

In the fourth period, threes by Mbouma and Darrah, as well as six points from Lauren Hudson, helped Elon finish out the 43-point win.

Notes
While the game is not countable, it would give Elon a 13-1 advantage in the overall series against WSSU…The Phoenix has won all five exhibitions under head coach Charlotte Smith, averaging 80.2 points per game and 35.6 points more than its opponent.

Next Up
Elon officially opens the 2015-16 season on Saturday, Nov. 14, against Lenoir-Rhyne in Alumni Gym. Tip is set for 2 p.m.