Elon WBB Hosts Chowan in Mid-Week Contest

ELON, N.C. – After three-game road swing, the Elon University women’s basketball team returns to the home confines of the Schar Center to host Chowan in a midweek contest on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Tip-off between the Phoenix and the Hawks is scheduled for 7 p.m.

GAME NOTES

Follow @ElonWBasketball
The game will be streamed for free on Phoenix All-Access at elonphoenix.com. Fans can also listen to the game on WSOE 89.3. Other updates of the game between the Phoenix and the Hawks will be provided on Twitter at the handle @ElonWBasketball.

Series History (First-ever meeting)
Elon and Chowan will meet on the hardwood for the first time on Wednesday with the contest counting as an exhibition for the Hawks.

Last Time Out
Elon is coming off a tough 65-62 setback at Appalachian State last Tuesday, Nov. 28, to conclude a three-game road swing. The Phoenix was held to a season-low seven points in the fourth quarter which allowed the Mountaineers to come back from a seven-point disadvantage heading into the final period. Sophomore Ariel Colón had a team-best 14 points while pulling down 11 rebounds for the Phoenix, who fell to 1-3 overall on the season after the setback.

Fastbreaks
• Colón’s double-double against the Mountaineers was her second in the past three games as the Orlando, Fla., native leads the Phoenix in scoring (12.8 PPG) and rebounds (8.3 RPG).
• As a team, the Phoenix is averaging 69.5 points per game, which is fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association. Elon is also fourth in the league in field-goal percentage at .435.
• Colón’s 8.3 boards per game ranks fourth in the CAA while her .429 percentage from three is 11th overall.
• Along with Colón, sophomore Emily Maupin (12.5 PPG) and junior Lexi Mercer (12.3 PPG) are the other active players for the Phoenix scoring in double digits.
• Mercer is shooting a team-best .516 from the field, which ranks fourth in the CAA. The Goldsboro, N.C., native is also in the top-10 of the league in free throw percentage at a .875 percent clip.
• The Phoenix had its overall depth boosted by the return of three players from injuries at Appalachian State. Second-year players Ariana Nance and Saadia Munford made their season-debuts for the Phoenix against the Mountaineers while fellow second-year player Jaylin Powell also returned for Elon after a two-game absence.
• Elon returns eight letterwinners from its team that successfully defended its Colonial Athletic Association Tournament title and made a return trip to the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
• The Phoenix closed out 2017-18 with a 25-8 record overall and a 14-4 mark during league play including a 13-game winning streak to close out the regular season and conference tournament.
• The Phoenix was tabbed to finish third in the 2018-19 CAA Preseason Poll as conducted by the league’s head coaches on Oct. 18. Elon received one first-place vote en route to 61 points for a tie for third place. James Madison (79 points) and Drexel (71 points) were selected in front of the Phoenix, who tied with Delaware for third with 61 points.
• Elon returns three starters from last year’s team including sophomore guard Saadia Munford, an CAA All-Rookie team selection in 2017-18. Munford was chosen as a Preseason All-CAA selection this season with her spot on the third team.
• Additionally, the Phoenix added five newcomers to the 2018-19 roster, which will again be one of the youngest in the nation with only two upperclassmen and no seniors.

Scouting Chowan (3-4)
The Hawks are members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and are coming off a 19-9 record last season and a 10-6 ledger in the CIAA in 2017-18. Chowan was tabbed to finish sixth overall in the 2018-19 CIAA Preseason Poll and is 3-4 on the young season after a 62-54 defeat versus Barton on Monday, Nov. 26.

As a team, Chowan is averaging 63.7 points per game while shooting .391 percent overall from the field. Senior forward Danielle Weldon is one of two double-digit point scorers for the Hawks at her team-high 15.4 points per game. The Glen Allen, Va., native is also the top rebounder for the squad at 9.0 RPG. Junior guard Mariah Coker leads the team in minutes played (34.4 MPG) and three-pointers (13) and was a 2018-19 Preseason All-CIAA team selection.

Schar Center
After playing its home games in Alumni Gym since the start of the program in 1972, Elon moves into its new facility, Schar Center, this season. The 5,100-seat facility will provide an elite venue for Phoenix basketball and volleyball games in addition to convocations, speakers and other major campus events. The facility is named for Dwight and Martha Schar, of Palm Beach, Fla.

20-Game Winners
With 25 victories last season, Elon posted back-to-back 20-win campaigns for the first time as a Division I program. Overall, Elon has posted three 20-win seasons during the Division I era.

Up Next
Elon continues its short homestand with a contest versus Marist on Friday, Nov. 30. Both teams are schedule for a 7 p.m. start time.