Elon Women’s Basketball Returns to Action Saturday at ECU

ELON, N.C. – After a break over the holiday, the Elon women’s basketball team returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 29, to take on East Carolina for a 3 p.m. tip in Minges Coliseum.

Saturday, Dec. 29
Site: Greenville, N.C. (Minges Coliseum)
Series: East Carolina leads, 7-2
Last Meeting: Nov. 27, 2012 – East Carolina won, 60-46

Last Time Out
The Phoenix dropped its last game before the holiday break in a 79-69 final at Campbell in Buies Creek, N.C. Elon had a nine-point advantage in the first half, which the Lady Camels were able to cut to four at the break. Campbell regained the lead in the second frame en route to the win. Kelsey Evans recorded two new career highs with 26 points off 10 field goals, while also moving into second on Elon’s all-time blocked shots list. Ali Ford and Shon Redmond also scored in double figures with 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Scouting the Pirates
Like Elon, ECU suffered a loss in its last game before the holiday break. The Pirates fell to North Carolina by nine, 76-67, in the Beach Ball Classic on Dec. 19. Sisters Britiny and Whitny Edwards are averaging in double figures for East Carolina with 11.7 and 10.9 ppg, respectively. B. Edwards is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.5 per game. The Pirates are coached by Heather Macy who is in her third season.

The Series
ECU leads the all-time series with the Phoenix, 7-2, after winning last year’s meeting by 14, 60-46, in the ECU Thanksgiving Tournament. The Pirates played strong in the post while the Phoenix was without an injured Kelsey Evans. ECU won the advantage on the glass, 54-34, and had 32 points in the paint. Ali Ford led Elon with 12 points, all of which came from three-point land. Kelsey Harris also scored in double figures with 10 points on 5-of-12 shooting.

Common Opponents
The Phoenix and the Pirates have faced three common opponents so far this season. Both teams have played College of Charleston, Campbell and VCU. ECU is 2-1 against those opponents, while Elon is 1-2.

Career Bests
Despite the loss, some Phoenix notched career bests at Campbell on Dec. 20. Kelsey Evans scored a career-high 26 points along with a best of 10 made field goals. Zora Stephenson dished out six assists to also surpass her career best.

Road to the Top
Ali Ford broke Elon’s all-time three-point record last season and is closing in on the Southern Conference record. Ford has made 289 career three-pointers, which is 26 shy of the record set by Chattanooga’s Brooke Hand from 2005-08.

Looking Ahead
The Phoenix will close out 2012 and it’s three-game road swing with a contest at nearby North Carolina A&T on Monday, Dec. 31. Tip is set for 2 p.m. in Greensboro, N.C.