Elon Women’s Basketball Phoenix Returns Home for First Time in 2014

ELON, N.C. – For the first time in 2014, the Elon women’s basketball team (6-10, 2-3 SoCon) returns home to Alumni Gym on Friday, Jan. 17, to host Appalachian State (5-10, 2-3 SoCon) in a 7 p.m. tip. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for all youth 12 and under.

Elon vs. Appalachian State
Date: Friday, Jan. 17
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: Elon, N.C. (Alumni Gym)
Series: Appalachian State leads, 21-10
Last Meeting: Feb. 25, 2013 – Elon won, 75-58
Radio: WSOE 89.3 FM – Ryan Balick and Matt Krause with the call

Last Time Out
Elon snapped a four-game losing streak with an impressive 68-49 win at Georgia Southern on Monday. The Phoenix led by as much as 21 points in the game en route to the victory. Four players finished in double figures with a team-high 12 points and six assists from Kelsey Harris. Jessica Farmer posted her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 boards, while Jenifer Rhodes and Shannen Cochraham each contributed 10 points as well. Rhodes also recorded a career-high six blocked shots.

Scouting the Mountaineers
Appalachian State enters Friday’s game with a 5-10 overall record and is 2-3 in conference play after wins over Wofford and Samford. The Mountaineers came close to knocking off league leader Chattanooga, but fell 73-68 in overtime on Monday. ASU is averaging 62.5 points per game with almost a third of those points coming from Maryah Sydnor who averages 20.2 points/game and leads the SoCon in scoring. The Mountaineers lead the league in rebounding margin with a +5 mark against opponents.

The Series
The Mountaineers hold a strong advantage in the all-time series, 21-10, but Elon claimed its first win over ASU since 2009 last season. The Phoenix won the last meeting by 17, 75-58, as the regular-season was coming to an end, helping Elon to the third seed in the SoCon tournament.

Home Sweet Home
Friday marks Elon’s first home game of the 2014 calendar year. The last time the Phoenix played on familiar ground was on New Year’s Eve against North Carolina A&T. The maroon and gold is 4-3 this season in Alumni Gym.

Block Party
Elon’s 11 team blocks at Georgia Southern on Jan. 13 was a season high for the Phoenix. Six of those blocks came from Jenifer Rhodes who marked a new career high and left her just one short of tying an Elon single-game record.

Looking Ahead
Elon will remain home to host Western Carolina in its next game on Sunday, Jan. 19. Tip is set for 2 p.m. in Alumni Gym.