The Elon women’s basketball team held the lead for 37:25 in Sunday’s contest against the University of Delaware. It was a sign: the Phoenix defeated the Blue Hens after leading by as many as 13 in the second half by a final score of 60-50.
The Phoenix had three players finish with 10 points each: senior guard Zora Stephenson, freshman center Malaya Johnson and sophomore guard Lauren Brown. Elon made 48 percent of its shots from the field with the bench contributing 18 points as well.
The Phoenix also made 44 percent of its shots beyond the arc, with Stephenson and Brown each making two. Elon outmuscled Delaware on the defensive boards, 22-21, as sophomore guard Essence Baucom and redshirt freshman forward Mackenzie Darrah each pulled down five rebounds.
Elon secured the lead at the 7:21 mark in the first half off a Stephenson layup and didn’t look back for the remainder of the game. The Phoenix forced 23 turnovers and scored 25 points off of Blue Hen turnovers.
The Phoenix struggled at the free throw line, making just 30 percent of its attempts, while the Blue Hens shot 69 percent from the stripe.
The Elon offense was efficient, scoring 32 points in the paint. Baucom contributed nine assists while freshman guard Shay Burnett added four of her own.
Elon improved to 8-4 with the win as Delaware fell to 5-7. The game was the Phoenix’s first as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association and was a conference opener for both teams.
The Phoenix travel to Williamsburg, Va. to face William and Mary on Jan. 9.