ELON, North Carolina – UNCW had four players score in double figures in its Colonial Athletic Association opener against defending league champion Elon, but the Phoenix used a strong effort from the free throw line to edge the Seahawks, 75-67, inside Alumni Gym on Friday evening.
The Phoenix, which earned its third win in the last four games, improved to 9-3 overall and 1-0 in the CAA. UNCW, meanwhile, saw an end to its two-game win streak while falling to 7-5 overall and 0-1 in the CAA.
Senior guard Shay Burnett, the CAA's Preseason Player-of-the-Year, led Elon to the win by posting a double-double with a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds while adding six assists.
Senior forward Meme Garner and freshman guard Saadia Munford each added 10 points for the Phoenix, which converted 29-of-41 free throws in the contest.
UNCW was led by redshirt senior forward
Jenny DeGraaf, who recorded her second straight double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard
Madison Raque scored a team-high 14 points while sophomore guard
Moriah Crisp added 12 markers.
Sophomore guard
Lacey Suggs came off the bench to post her eighth consecutive double-digit scoring effort with 11 points.
Key Moment: Elon used a 19-of-25 effort from the free throw line in the first half to build a 42-36 lead at the intermission. Burnett tallied 11 of her points in the opening stanza. The Seahawks got within 55-53 on a Suggs lay-up with 3:36 left in the third quarter, but were unable to get any closer.
Up Next: UNCW opens a three-game CAA homestand on New Year's Eve by welcoming William & Mary to Trask Coliseum for a 2 p.m. contest.
