In the team’s final non-conference game, the Elon University women’s basketball team lost a heartbreaker to North Carolina A&T State University, 58-57, on Dec. 31 inside Alumni Gym.
It was the Phoenix’s second straight loss after going on a modest two game winning streak.
The Aggies jumped on the Phoenix early, going up 17-11 with 12:08 remaining in the first half. The Phoenix, though, cut into the Aggies’ lead and trailed by just three, 25-22, with 4:18 to go before halftime.
The Phoenix, down 31-28, began the second half on a 16-4 run and led 44-35 with 7:35 to go in the game.
But, the Aggies didn’t go quietly, cutting the Phoenix’s lead to four, 52-48, with 3:04 left to play, and A&T tied the score at 52 a minute later.
With the Aggies up three, 55-52, Elon freshman guard Lauren Brown hit two free throws and the Phoenix sent the Aggies to the line, where they made one of two, stretching their lead to two.
With a chance to tie with a two or win with a three, the Phoenix turned the ball over. North Carolina A&T made two free throws after a foul and Elon senior guard Kelsey Harris drained a three-pointer as time expired, but it was not enough as the Aggies escaped with their eighth win of the season.
The Phoenix had just one player, junior guard Zora Stephenson, score in double figures. Stephenson had 10 points and four rebounds in 38 minutes.
The Aggies had two double figure scorers, senior guard Tracy King and redshirt sophomore center Eboni Ross, each of whom had 10 points.
The Phoenix will continue Southern Conference play with a road game at University of North Carolina at Greensboro on Jan. 4 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.