In an up and down game, the Elon University women’s basketball team fell on the road to the North Carolina State University Wolfpack 88-73 on Sunday, Dec. 9.
After stumbling out of the gate and falling down 26-4 with 10:29 left in the first half, the Phoenix stormed back on a 30-16 run throughout the remainder of the half to pull within eight at the halftime break.
Elon continued the run into the second half, coming within six points at 49-43 after two made free throws from senior guard Ali Ford, but that was the closest the Phoenix would come the Wolfpack.
N.C. State went on a 22-8 run to take a commanding 21 point lead with 7:58 remaining in the game that they would not relinquish.
Ford led all scorers in the game with 26 points. The total is a new season-high for her. She also finished with six assists and two steals. Senior forward Kelsey Evans, a Raleigh native, had six points in 20 minutes. She played just 20 minutes in the game that served as a homecoming of sorts. Freshman forward Autumn Carter, also from Raleigh, played 14 minutes. She did not score, but pulled down two rebounds. Both Evans and Carter went to Wakefield High School in Raleigh.
All five N.C. State starters scored in double figures. Sophomore guard Krystal Barrett finished with 14 points and junior guard Myisha Goodwin-Coleman had 13 points. Junior forwards Kody Burke and Markeisha Gatling had 12 points and senior point guard Marissa Kastanek had 11 points.
N.C. State moves to 6-4 on the season while the win takes the Wolfpack to 6-0 all-time against Elon. The loss puts Elon at 3-4 on the season.
Elon returns home on Thursday, Dec. 13 to take on Morgan State out of the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference for their final home game of the non-conference schedule. Tip is set for 7 p.m. in Alumni Gym.