The Elon University women’s basketball team kept a close game throughout its match-up against the, league leading, James Madison University Dukes on Friday, Jan. 30.
The Phoenix could not stay with the Dukes in the second half however, as the Dukes took a commanding 89-60 victory at the JMU Convocation Center.
Elon struggled to find a rhythm on the boards as it shot only 27 percent from the field and converted only five 3-pointers. Freshman guard Shay Burnett was one of the bright spots for the Phoenix after leading the team in scoring and rebounds with 15 points and six rebounds in addition to her career-high 10 free throws.
No other Phoenix player would crack double-digit points as freshman center Malaya Johnson finished second on the team with eight points. Sophomore guard Lauren Brown finished close behind with seven points of her own.
The Dukes held the advantage on almost every shooting category on the night against Elon. JMU shot 39 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3-point range and also an exceptional 89 percent from the free throw line-converting 23-26. Junior guard Precious Hall led the Dukes in scoring with 18 points as four players wound up in double-figures for the night.
The two teams kept the game close early in the first 15 minutes of the game as Elon pulled to within two of the Dukes with 8:51 left to play. After JMU called a timeout, it would ensue to go on a 20-0 run to close out the half to give the Dukes a 44-22 advantage as both teams entered the locker rooms.
James Madison would continue its run all the way in to much of the second half as it utilized a 12-2 run to put the game out of reach for Elon as it fell behind by 30 points to make it 62-32 lead.
Elon will return to action on Thursday, Feb. 7 to take on the Towson University Tigers. Tip-off is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. in Baltimore, Maryland.