Elon WBB Phoenix Takes 62-54 Win Over American

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A 13-2 run in the final five minutes of the third period helped the Elon women’s basketball team to a 62-54 final over American tonight, Nov. 22, for its second straight win.

Shay Burnett led all players with 20 points after a 5-of-6 performance from the field, including one three, and a 9-of-11 mark from the charity stripe to go along with five boards. Malaya Johnson finished 4-of-8 and had three free throws for 11 points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds.

“Shay is a terrific scorer and we know that we can depend on her night in and night out to perform for us offensively,” said Elon head coach Charlotte Smith. “I felt like she did a great job. She also did a great job on the boards again and got some big put backs in the game as well.”

The Phoenix (3-1) finished 17-of-49 from the field for a 35 percent mark and hit four baskets from beyond the arc to shoot 31 percent. The Eagles (0-4) went 19-of-49 to shoot 39 percent and were held to a 23 percent clip from three. The teams finished even on the glass, 24-all.

Highlights
The Phoenix jumped out to an 8-0 advantage within the first five minutes and extended the lead to 10, 14-4, after a Jenifer Rhodes layup at the 1:54 mark in the first period. The Eagles pulled within three, 14-11, before the seven-minute mark in the second frame but Elon responded quickly with a Josepha Mbouma three to move back to a six-point edge.

With the maroon and gold leading by seven, 20-13, at the 6:20 mark, AU managed a 11-0 run to take its first lead, 24-20, with 2:01 remaining. A Burnett layup with 1:52 on the clock ended the scoring drought for the Phoenix. With 25 seconds left, Burnett scored another layup to put Elon back in front at the break, 25-24.

The maroon and gold fell behind by three, 35-32, in the third period before a jumper by Rhodes at the 4:43 mark sparked 11 straight for Elon, which also included nine made free throws, to move ahead, 43-35. The Phoenix also held the Eagles scoreless for over five minutes during that stretch. With time expiring in the frame, Lauren Brown grabbed an offensive board and finished it off with a layup to keep Elon up by eight, 45-37.

In the fourth period, a Essence Baucom layup extended the advantage to 10, 49-39, while baskets from long distance by Brown and Burnett helped the lead become 12, 57-45, with 3:39 remaining. The Eagles converted an and one opportunity with 1:11 left on the clock to close the gap to six, 59-53. Baucom was able to convert all three chances when sent to the line in the final minute for final eight-point advantage.

Notes
The win evens the all-time series with American, 2-2…Burnett’s 20 points marked her second straight game scoring 20-plus points…The sophomore has scored in double figures all four games this season.

Next Up
The Phoenix heads down the road to Annapolis, Md., to face Navy on Tuesday, Nov. 24, in a 7 p.m. tip in Alumni Hall.