The Elon University women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to five games Friday night with a 79-69 win over the Furman University Paladins.

Senior guard Ali Ford once again led the Phoenix in scoring with a game-high 21 points on 6-of-13 shooting while also chipping in eight assists.

“For me, it’s the fun part to get everyone else involved when you can," Ford said.  It’s just exciting to be the one to be distributing and setting them up for success"

In total the Phoenix had five players in double figures, including junior guard Kelsey Harris, who filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Senior forward Kelsey Evans scored 11 points while sophomore forward Sam Coffer chipped in ten.

Sophomore forward Candice Silas had 11 points of her own in her season debut in just nine minutes off the bench.

Silas, who was returning from an ACL injury suffered last season, received a very warm ovation from the crowd upon her entering the game, and scored a lay-up on her first possession down the floor.

“I’m excited right now, but before the game I was really nervous," she said. "But it felt good to make (the first shot).”

Silas’ teammates were also eager to see her get back in action. Head coach Charlotte Smith said she was "too excited" at Silas' return.

“We’re a different team when (Silas) is in the game," Ford said. "We know how Candice plays,”

The first half was a tightly contested game with the two teams exchanging leads.  Neither team shot the ball particularly well - Furman shooting 24 percent in the first half and Elon shooting 35 percent.  Furman’s largest lead of the game came near the end of the first half at 26-22, but a Harris lay-up and a pair of freshman forward Autumn Carter free-throws tied the game going into the half.

The Phoenix responded in the second half with a offensive outbreak.  Elon scored 52 second-half points on nearly 60 percent shooting and broke out to a 22point lead.

“We showed a lot of toughness in the second half, getting some offensive rebounds, and also keeping (Furman) to some one-and dones,” Ford said.

However, in the next four minutes Furman was able to cut the lead down to ten.  The run by the Paladins caused Smith to call a timeout and substitute in all five starters. Ford then hit a three-pointer on the ensuing possesson to push the lead back to 13.

Furman continued to try and cut the lead and were able to get the lead down to eight inside the final minute.  The Phoenix was able to hold on and walk away with the victory.

Senior guard Teshia Griswold led Furman in scoring with 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting.  Fellow senior guard Kaitlin Murphy added 15 points of her own in the losing effort.

The win puts Elon at 9-7, tied for second in the Southern Conference with a record of 5-1.  The loss drops Furman to 6-10 and 2-5 in conference play.

The Phoenix will hit the road for a couple games against the College of Charleston and Davidson College before returning home to face Georgia Southern Jan. 28.