ELON, N.C. – The Elon University women’s basketball team got off to a strong start versus Northeastern, but the Huskies used a huge run over the first and second quarter to pull away to defeat the Phoenix, 83-57, in the regular-season finale for both teams on Saturday, March 9, at Schar Center.
Elon (9-20, 4-14 Colonial Athletic Association) had three players end up in double figures led by Emily Maupin with her 15. The Phoenix also saw rookies Kayla Liles and Brie Perpignan have strong scoring efforts with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Northeastern (19-10, 9-9 CAA) had six players score in double digits led by Jess Genco’s 15. Genco also added a game-high eight assists and four steals. Alexis Hill and Ayanna Dublin both added 14 for the Huskies while Shannon Todd (12), Gabby Ciacone (10) and Kendall Currence (10) rounded out the double figure scorers for the Northeastern.
The Rundown
The Phoenix got off to a hot start, starting the game on a 6-0 run in over the first minute of the contest. The Huskies however went on a 41-6 run through the rest of the first quarter and late into the second while ballooning their lead to 41-12 on a three-pointer by Katie May with 2:12 left in the opening half. Northeastern ended up outscoring the Phoenix 22-5 in the second period and carried a 44-15 lead into halftime.
Following the trip to the locker room, Elon came out strong again to start the second half. The Phoenix went on a 11-2 run in the first three minutes of the third with a three-pointer by Lexi Mercer cutting the deficit to 18, 46-28, with 5:40 left in the period. Northeastern went on a quick 6-3 run to move back up by 21 on a Genco three, but the Phoenix outscored the Huskies in the third, 24-14, and went to the fourth down 58-39.
Elon made it a 13-point game, 68-55, on a jumper by Liles with 2:47 left in the game. The Huskies however closed out the game on a 15-2 run to come away with the 83-57 win.
Up Next
The Phoenix travels to Newark, Del., for the CAA Championships set for March 13-16 at the Bob Carpenter Center. Elon enters the tournament as the No. 8 seed and will face No. 9 seed Hofstra on Wednesday, March 13, with tip-off set for noon.