WASHINGTON — Elon women’s basketball couldn’t hold off a late surge from Drexel University, falling to the No. 3-seeded Dragons in the Coastal Athletic Association quarterfinals — the Phoenix’s first appearance in the round since 2020.
It was a hot start for Elon, picking up right where the team left off on Thursday.
Graduate forward Quinzia Fulmore won the tip-off, slinging the ball back to junior Maraja Pass. Pass, whose 5’4” stature often leaves her the smallest on the court, snaked past the Dragons for an opening lay-up.
But Elon’s opening 4-0 lead quickly washed away.
Drexel’s pace became a problem for Elon. The Dragons raced down the court with the ball, exploiting late transitions by the Phoenix for easy opportunities.
Drexel freshman Molly Rullo set the standard early for the Dragons. As all eyes turned toward graduate guard Amaris Baker, Drexel’s top scorer, Rullo snaked past the defense and found open shots at the rim.
Mariah Watkins, another Drexel freshman, built on the momentum, finding open space to swish a jump-shot to take a 12-9 lead.
Defensively, the Dragons double-teamed any Elon forward who entered the paint. It is a strategy, Drexel head coach Amy Mallon said the team had been practicing all day.
Head coach Charlotte Smith said that it created problems.
“They did a good job of packing it in the paint,” Smith said. “So we just have to be consistent in terms of knocking down some of those outside shots to come in respect so that you open that inside play up.”
Drexel extended the lead to 20-12 by the end of the 1st quarter. But in the 2nd, Elon found a winning strategy. Rebounds.
While Elon struggled to score in the paint on set plays, they found rhythm on second-chance opportunities. Fulmore and freshman Tamia Watkins put the work in the paint, grabbing Elon’s missed shots and passing back out to the perimeter.
As a corner 3-pointer from freshman Ashanti Fox bounced off the rim short, Fulmore grabbed it back. She jumped back up and finished through a foul, converting on a 3-point play. The impressive effort from Fulmore cut Drexel’s lead to 2.
Elon led the Dragons 23-9 in the rebound battle by the end of the 2nd quarter. The momentum had swung.
But Drexel tightened up. The Dragons mitigated Elon’s rebounding advantage. Elon’s offense, largely reliant on second-chance points, went flat. Drexel head coach Amy Mallon said it was a top priority.
“We had to shut that down,” Mallon said. “There are definitely going to be times we're not going to keep them from getting a rebound, but when we can actually do whatever we can do, whether it is if you can't get it, you're going to slap it, your teammate is going to dive. And I thought those loose balls, there were some really crucial plays.”
The Dragons went on an 8-3 run at the start of the 3rd quarter, finding open shots on quick cuts to the rim.
But as the situation seemed dire for the Phoenix, the defense stepped up. Elon forced five turnovers in the final four minutes of the quarter, holding Drexel scoreless.
Defense fed offense. Elon went on an 8-0 run, fueled by a corner 3-pointer from Fox. She said that all the team needed to do was stay patient for good looks.
“I think it was just settling down,” Fox said. “Running the offense, and getting the good looks we needed. Hitting open shots.”
Elon cut the lead to 48-41 by the end of the 3rd quarter.
Redshirt Junior Tyana Walker braces for a pass in Elon's CAA Tournament game against Drexel University. The Phoenix lost 68-53.
But in a game of constantly switching momentum, the Dragons would have the last laugh.
Drexel junior Laine McGurk took over the final quarter, exploiting late rotations by the Phoenix. A step-back, banked-in jumper by McGurk extended Drexel’s lead to 13 with five minutes to play.
Elon, playing their second game at 8:30 p.m. in two straight days, didn’t have enough juice left in the tank.
With the loss, the Phoenix fell in the quarter-finals of the CAA tournament. Despite the outcome, Smith said it was one of her favorite seasons with Elon.
“I just wish I had more time with this team,” Smith said. “When you're building a team from both ends, transfer port and first years, it takes time to build culture. But what we did in this short amount of time. I'm incredibly proud of this basketball team.”
The Phoenix now turn their attention to the off-season. Smith said the team needs to work on outside shooting and getting more comfortable in their defensive systems.
“Championships are born in the off-season,” Smith said. “We have to put the work in when nobody’s watching.”