Northeastern’s Second-Half Rally Drops Elon WBB Phoenix

ELON, N.C. – A single-digit margin provided the final margin in what has become the norm for women’s basketball bouts between Elon women’s basketball and Northeastern as the Huskies escaped the Phoenix by a 67-61 score today, Feb. 14, in Alumni Gym. It marked Northeastern’s first victory over Elon in the short four-game history of the CAA series. The previous three contests had been decided by six total points.

“I thought that this was a big enough game that with the importance of the standings that we would come out and play our best,” said head coach Charlotte Smith. “We’ll regroup, refocus and get ready for the next one.”

Elon (15-9, 8-5 CAA) shot just 37.5 percent over the final 10 minutes, allowing Northeastern (10-14, 5-8) build on its slim 49-46 advantage following the third period. Overall, the Phoenix connected on 40.3 percent (25-of-62) of its attempts from the field and was good on 46.2 percent (6-of-13) of its three-point attempts.

Jenifer Rhodes led Elon with 14 points and seven rebounds. She also swatted three shots. Essence Baucom added 12 points, six boards and a team-high six assists.

Northeastern, which trailed 30-27 at halftime, used a hot third period in which it shot 62.5 percent (10-of-16) from the field to move in front. The Huskies connected on 46.3 percent (25-of-54) of its total field goals and sank seven threes. Gabrielle Giacone led all players with 15 points, while Samantha DeFreese posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Highlights
Led by six first-quarter points from Rhodes, Elon held an 18-14 lead after the first stanza. The Phoenix opened the game with a 9-3 run over the first 3:50 capped off by a layup by Autumn Carter. The Huskies responded with a quick 5-0 run to make the score 9-8 with 3:37 on the clock. The maroon and gold outscored Northeastern 9-5 over the final three and a half minutes to hold a four-point lead.

The Phoenix pulled out to it’s largest lead of the half 26-18, opening the second quarter 8-4 run ended by a Rhodes layup at the seven-minute mark. The Huskies answered going on a 9-0 tear to take its first lead 27-26 with 2:19 remaining in the half. Essence Baucom scored four straight for Elon, including a spinning layup, to give the Phoenix a 30-27 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Northeastern outscored Elon 22-16 and moved in front for good with 49 seconds remaining in the period on a Zoe Zwerling three.

After the Huskies built a five-point edge less than a minute into the final quarter, the Phoenix battled back to tie the game at 51 on a Lauren Brown three. Northeastern responded with back-to-back threes sandwiched around a Rhodes jumper before Elon again knotted the game at 57 on a Shay Burnett triple with 4:24 to play. The Phoenix remained within striking distance before a quartet of free throws by Northeastern in the final five seconds sealed the game.

Up Next
Elon will travel to South Carolina to take on the College of Charleston in an 11:30 a.m. game on Friday, Feb. 19 before returning to Alumni Gym for its final two home contests of the season.