WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Seniors
Jenny DeGraaf,
Rebekah Banks and
Diamond Willis combined to score 25 points, but Elon spoiled the trio's final appearance inside Trask Coliseum by claiming a 58-49 victory over UNCW in the regular season finale for both teams on Saturday afternoon.
The win, Elon's 10th in a row, elevated the Phoenix's record to 22-7 overall and 14-4 in the CAA. UNCW, meanwhile, completes the regular season with an 11-18 overall record and a 4-14 mark in the circuit.
DeGraaf scored 10 points and added five rebounds while Banks chipped in eight points along with a game-high 12 caroms. Willis posted seven points, including a 3-of-5 effort from the free throw line, to go with two rebounds.
Sophomore guard
Lacey Suggs paced the Seahawks with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field while junior center
Chinyere Bell fashioned her second straight double-digit scoring effort with 10 points.
Senior center Malaya Johnson led Elon to the victory by scoring 16 points, making 7-of-8 field goal attempts and 2-of-3 free throws, with six rebounds. Senior guard Shay Burnett contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while senior forward Meme Garner tallied 13 points with five rebounds.
Key Moment: In a game that featured seven ties and nine lead changes, Elon took the lead for good by going on a 9-2 spurt over a 3:28 span for a 45-39 advantage. The Seahawks trimmed the margin to 50-46, but were unable to get any closer.
Up Next: UNCW begins its quest at a Colonial Athletic Association championship on Wednesday, Mar. 7, with a first round contest against Towson at 2 p.m. in Philadelphia. The seedings will be determined by RPI on Sunday.
