Davidson Done in By Poor Shooting and Big Run at Elon, 72-56

Saturday, March 2

Elon, N.C.

2:00 p.m.

Davidson College

18-11 (15-4)

Elon

16-12 (13-6)

Davidson

Elon

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

Davidson Done in By Poor Shooting and Big Run at Elon, 72-56

3/2/2013 4:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Gavin McFarlin - Assistant SID

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ELON, N.C. – An off-shooting afternoon combined with a large run by Elon at the end of the first half and into the second half doomed Davidson as they fell 72-56 on the road Saturday afternoon in women's Southern Conference basketball action at Alumni Gym.

Elon (16-12, 13-6 SoCon) used a 21-6 spurt that spanned from the last five minutes of the first half into the second half to grab a 45-33 lead and Davidson was never able to recover and get in any offensive rhythm for the game.

The Phoenix, who shot 44.6 percent, which included an even 50 percent in the second half, were led by Ali Ford's 23 points. Kelsey Evans and Zora Stephenson each added 12 points, all coming in the second half for both players.

Sophia Aleksandravicius registered her 16th double-double of the season with 13 points and 14 rebounds to go with four blocks to pace the Wildcats. It was the seniors' 46th double-double of her career. Her 14 rebounds pushed her season total to 288, which ties the Wildcat single-season record.

Laura Murray scored 14, while Sarah Davis chipped in nine points and four boards off the bench.

The Wildcats (18-11, 15-4 SoCon) shot just 33.9 for the game, including just 2-of-16 from three-land. They were also unable to break Elon's mini half-court press in the second half, turning the ball over 12 times in the period and 19 for the game.

Davidson, third in the SoCon in free throw shooting at 73 percent, was an uncharacteristic 14-of-24 (58.3 percent) at the line.

Down 34-30 at the break, Davidson saw the Phoenix rattle off an 11-3 run to open the new half on the heels of a 10-3 run to close the first half, and Elon led 45-33. The lead would grow to 20 on Zora Stephenson's fourth shot of the half from downtown for a 62-42 score with 7:36 left.

Davidson scored 14 of the final 24 points, but it was not enough in seeing its four-game win streak snapped in the all-time series.

It was a back-and-forth affair in the first half, featuring eight ties and five lead changes. The Wildcats had an 18-16 lead on Shneeka Center's put-back with 8:25 on the clock. Later, Katrin Chiemeka hit the only shot from behind the arc in 11 tries during the half for Davidson to give it a 27-24 lead.

Ford would give Elon the lead heading into the break though, scoring eight straight to give her 21 for the half and the Phoenix used a 10-3 run in the last five minutes for a 34-30 advantage.

The Wildcats wrap up the regular season with a 7 p.m. tip Monday for Senior Night against Western Carolina in John M. Belk Arena.

GAME NOTES: Davidson held a 44-39 edge on the glass, getting a season-high tying 18 offensive boards … the Wildcats have won 14 of its last 18 games … Davidson still has won 27 of its last 33 SoCon games dating back to last January 13, 2012 … the Wildcats finished 9-8 on the road overall and 8-2 in SoCon games … the nine wins matched the program-best set last year ... Aleksandravicius set anther Wildcat record, moving into first in free throw attempts and now holds seven all-time records.