Elon Phoenix Women’s Basketball Set for Mountain Duel with Catamounts

ELON, N.C. – The Elon women’s basketball team (2-3, 0-1) will hit the road for the first time in four games to play its first Southern Conference away game of the season. The Phoenix will face Western Carolina (3-3, 1-0) in the Catamounts’ Education Day game on Monday, Dec. 3. Tip is set for noon.

Monday, Dec. 3
Site: Cullowhee, N.C. (Ramsey Center)
Series: Elon leads, 18-17
Last Meeting: Feb. 27, 2012 – Elon won, 73-46
Radio: WSOE 89.3 FM – Ryan Balick and Christian Binder will have the call

Last Time Out
The Phoenix dropped another heartbreaker in its last game in a 57-55 defeat to College of Charleston in Alumni Gym. A desperation three at the buzzer did not fall in for the maroon and gold in its first conference match up. Kelsey Evans became the 19th player in program history to reach the 1,000 career-point milestone with eight points and 11 boards in the contest. Ali Ford was the leading scorer for Elon with 13 points, her fourth straight game in double figures.

Scouting the Catamounts
Western Carolina opened SoCon play on Saturday with a three-point, 47-44, win over UNCG. The Catamounts finished with a season-best 42 boards with the help of a career-high 13 by Shauna Terry. Diamond Hunnicutt is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 9.7 points per game, while Terry has 35 total rebounds for a 5.8 rpg average. As a team, Western is second in the conference in scoring defense with 51 points per game. WCU is coached by Karen Middleton who is in her fourth season with the Catamounts.

The Series
Elon holds the slight advantage in the all-time series, 18-17. The Catamounts had won nine of 10 meetings before the Phoenix started its current winning streak of three straight. The maroon and gold won the last meeting, 73-46, in Alumni Gym.

Previously in Cullowhee
The last time the two teams met in the mountains was at the beginning of this year on Jan. 18. A double-double by Kelsey Evans, 14 points and 15 boards, helped lift the Phoenix to a six-point victory, 51-45. Elon has won the last three contests over the Catamounts in Cullowhee.

Reaching the Century Mark
In Monday’s game at Western Carolina, Ali Ford will take the hardwood wearing the maroon and gold for the 100th time in her career.

The 1,000-Point Club
With her first basket against College of Charleston on Dec. 1, Kelsey Evans scored her 1,000th career point. The Raleigh, N.C., native is the 19th player in program history to reach the milestone.

Looking Ahead
Elon will take a break from conference play to take on Atlantic Coast Conference opponent NC State in its next contest. The Phoenix and Wolfpack will square off in Reynolds Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m.