Dec. 14, 2006

Final Stats

ELON, NC - The Phoenix of Elon University used a 16-8 run over the final eight minutes of Tuesday evening's game as they defeated the Lady Rams of Winston-Salem State University in non-conference women's basketball action at Alumni Gymnasium in Elon, NC.

The Lady Rams led by as many as seven points during the first half of play as Winston-Salem State University turned in their most successful shooting half of play on the season as they hit 50% of their field goal attempts, converting nine of their 18 shots.

Leading 16-9 with 12:54 to play in the half, the Lady Rams saw their seven-point cushion slip away as the Phoenix mounted an 8-1 run to tie the game at 17-17 with just over five minutes to play in the contest.

Another Elon run, this time a 7-2 offensive outburst, gave the home-team Phoenix a five point lead headed into the locker room at halftime as WSSU trailed 26-21. 

First-half action would be decided by the two teams' benches as Elon was the beneficiary of 14 bench points while the Lady Rams starters scored all 21 of WSSU's points during the game's first 20 minutes of play.

Second-half action would nearly mirror the first half of play as the two teams traded baskets and tried, unsuccessfully, to take over control of the contest.  Neither team led by more than six points during the first 15 minutes of the half as the Lady Rams deadlocked the contest at 34-34 with 11:57 left in the contest on a jump shot by Lavontay Johnson.

The Johnson bucket would be the last points that the Lady Rams would earn in a span of 4:06 as Elon scored seven consecutive points, all part of their game-clinching 16-8 run to close the game, en route to securing the 50-42 win.

The Phoenix were led by Tierra Bumbrey's 12 points as she led all scorers.  The Lady Rams were led by Candace Saunders and Keoshia Worthy who each recorded a team-high 10 points in the contest.  WSSU's Shalonda Carter was held to only six points in the contest as she turned in her lowest offensive output in 18 games dating back to last season when she was held to only five points versus the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC on February 4, 2006.

The loss drops the Lady Rams to 2-9 on the season while the Phoenix improve to 5-4 overall with the win.

WSSU returns to action on Saturday, December 16, 2006 at 2:00 pm as they face the Lady Spartans of Norfolk State University, a team that the Lady Rams recorded an overtime victory over on November 27, 2006.

For additional information on WSSU women's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com.

- wssurams.com -