Elon WBB Travels to Atlanta for GSU Holiday Classic

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University women’s basketball team returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 21, when the Phoenix travels to Atlanta for the GSU Holiday Classic. Elon will face Akron at 1 p.m. on Wednesday before taking on host Georgia State on Thursday at 1 p.m. inside the GSU Sports Arena.

ELON vs. THE FIELD: Elon has never faced Akron or Georgia State.

HOMECOMING OF SORTS: Elon’s Lauren Brown and Madison Wilder will be playing near their hometowns this week in Atlanta. Brown hails from Alpharetta, Ga., which is approximately 26 miles from Atlanta. Wilder is a native of Rome, Ga., which is about 70 miles from Atlanta.

ROAD WARRIORS: Elon is in the midst of a five-game road swing spanning 32 days away from Alumni Gym. Elon’s last home game was Nov. 26 against Wake Forest and its next home game isn’t until Dec. 28 against King.

BALANCED ATTACK: Elon has three players averaging 10.0 points per game or higher. Ra’Shika White is averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, Lauren Brown is averaging 11.1 points per game and Shay Burnett is leading the Phoenix at 12.1 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game.

RACKING UP THE AWARDS: Elon freshman guard Ra’Shika White has been named the CAA Rookie of the Week twice this season up to this point, while freshman guard Jada Graves has earned the accolade once.

MILESTONE WATCH: With 100 points this season, senior guard Lauren Brown has accumulated 882 career points heading into this week of games. Not far behind, senior forward Jenifer Rhodes has 820 career points and junior guard Shay Burnett has tallied 833 career points.

LOOKING AHEAD: Following the GSU Holiday Classic, the Phoenix returns home to host King on Dec. 28. The maroon and gold begins conference play on Jan. 2 at Alumni Gym against College of Charleston.

OFF THE BENCH: The Elon reserves have been outstanding so far this season, outscoring their counterparts by a 54-point margin on the year, 198-144. Ra’Shika White is averaging 10.0 points per game off the bench, while Jada Graves is currently averaging 7.2 points per contest.

HEAD COACH CHARLOTTE SMITH: Elon head coach Charlotte Smith is in her sixth season with the Phoenix and owns career record of 92-74. Smith has led Elon to two straight WNIT appearances and three overall post-season appearances in the last five seasons. Her teams have won 18 or more games in three of the last four seasons heading into 2016-17.