The Elon University women’s basketball team knew it was faced with an uphill battle against North Carolina State University at Reynolds Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.
The Phoenix was unable to respond to that battle, and was beaten handily by the Wolfpack, 91-51, on Sunday, Dec. 8, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Phoenix hung with the Wolfpack for much of the first half, trialing 31-20 with 6:10 left in the half. It was then, however, that the Wolfpack pulled away, leading 53-28 at halftime and continuing to pull further away in the second.
The Phoenix was led in scoring by freshman guard Lenaira Ruffin and junior guard Zora Stephenson, who had 12 points apiece. The Wolfpack had three players score in double figures, led by senior center Markeisha Gatling, who had 26 points on 13 of 14 shooting.
It was the fifth consecutive loss for the Phoenix, who drops to 2-5, while the Wolfpack improves to 10-1.
The Phoenix will play its next game inside the friendly confines of Alumni Gym against Samford University on Dec. 14. It will be the Phoenix’s first Southern Conference game of the season and is the first of four straight games at home.