Elon Women’s Basketball Wins Third Straight With Victory Over WCU

ELON, N.C. – Off the heels of a 22-7 run to close out the final 10 minutes of the game, the Elon women’s basketball team posted its third straight win with a 67-52 victory over Western Carolina today, Jan. 19, in Alumni Gym.

The Phoenix (8-10, 4-3 SoCon) hit 25-of-65 from the field for a 39 percent shooting mark, including 40 percent from beyond the arc, and finished with 30 points in the paint. Elon forced 16 Catamount turnovers and scored 21 points off those WCU errors. The maroon and gold also won the battle on the boards, 50-40.

Western Carolina (9-9, 3-4 SoCon) finished 21-of-62 (34 percent) after only hitting 5-of-28 from three-point range for an 18 percent clip.

“We’re happy to keep the streak going and get the win,” said Elon head coach Charlotte Smith. “I felt like we did a good job today defensively and rebounding, controlling the things that we can control. I feel like we dominated the boards – 50 rebounds – I wish we could get that every night. I’m very proud of my team for continuing to find a way to be resilient and plug in the gaps. In the absence of other players, I think we’re doing a good job of continuing to be focused and playing as a team to get things done. Hats off to Western Carolina. They played a great game and are a great team.”

Kelsey Harris led the maroon and gold with 15 points and four assists. Sam Coffer posted her third double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Lenaira Ruffin also scored in double figures with 11 points.

WCU’s Rena Wakama scored a game-high 16 points off six field goals.

Early in the first half, Elon put together a 17-2 run that was capped by a Ruffin three to put the Phoenix up by 12, 19-7, at the 13:10 mark. The Catamounts responded to even the score at 25-all with under five minutes remaining. Right before the buzzer, Coffer put the maroon and gold up by three, 31-28, off a layup after her own miss and an offensive board.

The Phoenix shot 35 percent in the first 20 off 12-of-24 from the field and held the advantage in rebounds, 26-19. WCU went 11-of-30 to shoot 37 percent.

The first 10 minutes of the second frame was tight with neither team taking more than a three-point advantage. With the score tied at 47-all and 9:26 on the clock, a layup by Ruffin off an Autumn Carter pass sparked the Phoenix as the team outscored the Catamounts 12-2 in the next seven minutes to make it a 61-49 lead. Coffer would score Elon’s final four points to help the maroon and gold finish the game on a 22-7 run and give the maroon and gold the final 15-point advantage.

Elon will go on the road for its next game on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Furman. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Greenville, S.C.