High Point, NC — The Elon University women’s basketball team upset the defending Big South champion High Point University in its season opener, 68-66.
Head Coach Charlotte Smith said the story of the game for the Phoenix was defense.
“Defense was most definitely the focus of the game,” Smith said. “We knew that they were a great offensive scoring team and that we were gonna have to do a good job containing the three-point shot.“
The Phoenix defense managed seven blocks and five steals, and held the Panthers to just 37% shooting. While the team’s offense struggled at times, Smith said she was pleased to earn the victory.
“We had a lot of rust during the game,” Smith said. “I’m just happy to come out with a win. I talked to the team on how a road win is a big win.”
After an ugly first quarter for the Phoenix in which it scored 15 points on five of 14 shooting, the team turned it around in the second. After several big plays from senior guard Brie Perpignan, sophomore forward Ajia James hit an open three point shot to erase the team’s deficit. The Phoenix led 33-32 at halftime after outscoring the Panthers 18-12 in the second quarter.
Just when the Phoenix looked to increase its four point lead in the third quarter and put the game away, Skyler Curran of the Panthers caught fire. She hit three consecutive three pointers to give High Point a four point lead. However, a sequence from the Phoenix of a Perpignan three-point play, an Evonna McGill block and a Peyton Carter three helped the team take a 52-51 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Down by two points with under two minutes to go, Perpignan found McGill on a great pass to tie the game at 66. The Phoenix’s defense held strong the following possession, forcing a Panthers shot clock violation.
After a missed go-ahead layup by Perpignan, McGill grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled in the act of shooting. She made both free throws to give Elon a 68-66 lead with exactly three seconds remaining. High Point’s final shot did not go in, giving Elon the upset victory.
Perpignan led the team in points (22), rebounds (7) and assists (6). She said the Phoenix played well but that the team needs to execute better offensively going forward.
“I’m very happy with how the team played,” Perpignan said. “This was a very good game collectively as a team and we have to keep improving from here.”
The Phoenix take on the Howard University Bison in its home opener on Monday, Nov. 15.