Elon WBB Takes on Blue Hens Sunday in Delaware

ELON, N.C. – The Elon women’s basketball team (13-8, 6-4 CAA) looks to carry its hot shooting into its next game on Sunday, Feb. 7, at Delaware (11-10, 6-4 CAA). Tip is set for 2 p.m. in the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Del.

Last Time Out
Off a season-high 48 percent shooting performance from the field, the Elon claimed a 73-51 win over visiting William & Mary on Friday night in Alumni Gym. The Phoenix finished 26-of-54 from the field for that 48 percent mark, including six buckets from long distance for 38 percent, and tallied 32 points in the paint. Elon claimed 16 points off Tribe turnovers, 19 second-chance points off 17 offensive rebounds and saw 26 points from its bench. The maroon and gold won the battle on the boards, 46-25, which marked a season low for an opponent this year. All 12 Phoenix available to play saw action in the game. After a 6-of-9 performance from the field, Malaya Johnson finished with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double along with three assists, two blocks and two steals. Lauren Brown led all players with 16 points, while Jenifer Rhodes posted 12 points and eight boards.

Scouting the Blue Hens
Delaware is coming off a come-from-behind victory at Towson in its last game Friday. The Blue Hens trailed by as much as eight in the final period before taking a 66-62 win. UD moves to 11-10 on the season and 6-4 after snapping a two-game losing skid. The team ranks 25th nationally and second in the CAA in fewest turnovers and is 40th (second in league) in field-goal percentage defense, holding opponents to a 36.1 mark. Erika Brown leads the team in scoring with 12.2 points per game, which ranks 14th in the league, followed by Courtni Green who averages 11.3 points. On the boards, Makeda Nicholas hauls down 6.0 rebounds per game.

The Series
The only two previous meetings between Elon and Delaware came during last year’s regular season. The Phoenix won the first game, which also happened to be Elon’s first CAA game and win, in the Bob Carpenter Center with a 60-50 final. The maroon and gold squeaked the next one out with a 77-76 overtime victory in the last game on March 4, 2015, in Alumni Gym.

Mark Your Calendars
Phoenix fans should mark their calendars for Elon’s annual Play 4Kay game on Sunday, Feb. 14, against the Northeastern Huskies.

From the Line
Shay Burnett owns an 81.3 percent mark from the charity stripe this season, which ranks third in the league. The sophomore ranks 36th nationally and first in the CAA in free throw attempts (128) and 25th overall and first in the CAA in free throws made (104). As a team, Elon leads the league in both free throw attempts (447) and free throws made (311), which ranks 35th and 46th in the NCAA, respectively.

Block Party
Elon’s 17 total team blocks on Nov. 29 against East Tennessee State marked a new Division I single-game high this season and also set a new CAA single-game record. The Phoenix saw five players set new or match career highs in blocks against the Buccaneers in Malaya Johnson (5), Autumn Carter (4), Essence Baucom (2), Lauren Brown (2) and Maddie McCallie (1). Elon is currently averaging 4.7 blocks per game as a team, which ranks 56th nationally and fourth in the league.

On the Boards
Elon currently ranks second in the conference in rebounds per game (41.43 /game). The Phoenix holds a positive 2.4 rebounding margin, which is third in the CAA, is second in offensive rebounds (14.4/game) and is second in the league in defensive rebounds (27.0/game).

Off the Bench
The Elon bench has been a contributor to the maroon and gold’s success this season. The Phoenix bench is outscoring the opponents, 421-303, and averaging 20 points per game.

Elon is Perfect When…
The Phoenix has a perfect record on the season in games played on Saturday (3-0).

Head Coach Charlotte Smith
Elon head coach Charlotte Smith is in her fifth season with the Phoenix and owns an 82-65 career record. Smith has led Elon to three straight conference tournament semifinal appearances, as well as an at-large bid to the 2015 WNIT, the first in program history, after a 19-13 overall record and 11-7 league mark in its first season in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Home-Court Advantage
Alumni Gym has proven to be a tough place to play for opponents under head coach Charlotte Smith. The maroon and gold is 51-16 in Alumni Gym in five seasons under Coach Smith. The Phoenix went 10-5 at home during the 2014-15 season after a 10-4 record during the 2013-14 season. The Phoenix has lost no more than five games at home in a season under Smith.

Next Up
Elon is home for two straight games next week, beginning with a matchup against Towson on Friday, Feb. 12. Tip is set for 7 p.m. in Alumni Gym.