Behind an 18-point performance by senior guard Zora Stephenson and a 43 percent shooting night, the Elon University women's basketball team flew past the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 67-54 on Friday night, Nov. 22 in Charlotte.
The Phoenix made 10-of-25 shots from 3-point range while it improved to 3-0 on the season.
Twelve of Stephenson's points came from four 3-pointers. Junior forward Sam Coffer clocked in a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore guard Essence Baucom tallied nine assists.
Elon, which took the lead less than three minutes in and never lost it, held Charlotte's leading scorer Hillary Sigmon (27 points per game entering the night) scoreless.
The Phoenix went up 12-7 via a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Lauren Brown and a couple buckets underneath by sophomore forward Jenifer Rhodes. Charlotte came within two a couple times in the first half, but Elon went on an 8-0 run at one juncture and led 34-29 at halftime.
Elon opened up the second half on an 8-2 run fueled by a Stephenson jumper and a Coffer 3-pointer. The 49ers did not make a second-half field goal until the 12:37 mark.
Charlotte cut the deficit to one at 55-54 with 3:42 to go. Stephenson came up clutch at the 1:55 mark, as she dialed in twice from long range within 20 seconds to put Elon up seven and secure the victory.
The Phoenix will be back at home on Tuesday, Nov. 25 when Liberty University comes to Alumni Gym.