Elon WBB Phoenix Overpowers Cougars for Win in Charleston

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Led by a double-double from Autumn Carter, the Elon women’s basketball team claimed a 54-38 win at College of Charleston today, Feb. 19, in a morning tip at TD Arena.

“I felt like we got off to a great start and a lot of that is because of our defense,” said Elon head coach Charlotte Smith. “We started out on a 9-0 run and our offense was clicking. Rebounding is our focus and the team knows that defense and rebounding are the two keys to success. We talked about that at the half and I’m glad they accepted the challenge.”

The Phoenix (16-8, 9-5) finished 24-of-70 from the field on the day to shoot 34 percent, including 4-of-14 from three for a 29 percent mark. Elon struggled from the line with a 25 percent clip after hitting 2-of-8. The maroon and gold won the battle on the boards, 55-33, and tallied nine total blocks. All 12 players that dressed for Elon saw action in the game.

Carter’s double-double was the first of her career after 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. The senior went 5-of-10 from the field on the day and also tallied four blocks and one assist. Playing in front of a hometown crowd, Jenifer Rhodes finished with 14 points after a 7-of-14 day and hauled down six boards. Malaya Johnson tallied seven rebounds, while Essence Baucom dished out a game-high six assists.

The Cougars (9-15, 4-9) were held to its lowest scoring output of the season, while it was also the fewest points Elon has allowed in a CAA game this year. CofC went 16-of-53 from the field for a 30 percent clip from the field and was held without a three (0-for-6). Breanna Bolden led CofC with 13 points followed by 12 points from Jackie Luna-Castro.

Highlights

The Phoenix started the game on a 9-0 run, forcing a CofC timeout at the 6:30 mark. A Carter jumper extended the Elon lead to 11 before the Cougars scored its first basket with 5:11 on the clock. Charleston pulled within six, 13-7, but back-to-back jumpers by Carter in the last 63 seconds of the period made it a 10-point lead, 17-7, at the end of the frame.

The Cougars whittled the lead down to just two, 22-20, with four minutes left in the second period. A jumper and free throw by Shay Burnett returned the maroon and gold to a five-point advantage, 25-20, as Elon held a 27-23 lead at the break.

The Phoenix came out of halftime with the momentum, using a Maddue McCallie three and a Carter jumper to regain an 11-point lead, 36-25, at the 6:17 mark. With under three minutes remaining, Baucom claimed a steal and finished off a fast-break with a layup, while Nikki McDonald hit a three to move Elon in front by 14, 43-29, by the end of the period.

Elon maintained its lead with an 11-9 advantage in the fourth period to finish with the 16-point final.

Up Next

Elon returns home to Alumni Gym for a game against Drexel on Sunday, Feb. 21. Tip is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the game will air on the American Sports Network.