The Elon University women’s basketball team defeated the College of Charleston on Sunday, Feb. 8 75-71. After jockeying for the lead for much of the game, the Phoenix sealed the victory when Jenifer Rhodes stole the ball with 14 seconds remaining in the game.
Neither team gained much of an advantage in the first half, with College of Charleston leading 39-36 at the intermission. The Cougars benefitted from superb 3-point shooting in the first half, hitting 75 percent of its shots from beyond the arc.
The Phoenix was not phased, however, as senior guard Zora Stephenson made a triple to tie the game early in the second half. Elon led by as many as 11 after halftime, thanks in large part to Rhodes’s 11 points in the period.
However, College of Charleston fought to get back into the game, thanks in part to Erin Hall’s 12 points and Breanna Bolden’s 9. After trading the lead multiple times, the Cougars took a one-point advantage with 1:41 remaining. The Phoenix then answered as senior guard Sam Coffer hit a jumper with 36 seconds left to play. On the ensuing College of Charleston possession, Rhodes intercepted a pass to seal the game.
Elon’s starters had a solid game offensively, with Rhodes scoring 21 and Coffer adding 19. Sophomore guard Lauren Brown also had 14 points as she and Coffer combined for nine 3-pointers. Freshman guard Shay Burnett also kept the ball moving for the Phoenix, totaling eight assists on the day.
On the defensive end, Rhodes and Coffer made things tough for the Cougars, combining for seven steals in the game. Rhodes committed no fouls in the 24 minutes she played, and Coffer had just two in 32.
The victory marks the Phoenix’s seventh in conference play, and gives it a 14-8 record on the year. Elon continues CAA play on Feb. 12 in Alumni Gym, where the Phoenix will face the University of North Carolina at Wilmington at 7 p.m.