RALEIGH, N.C. — Playing its first ranked ACC opponent, the Elon women’s basketball team fell 90-35 to No. 14 NC State on Wednesday night. 

Maya Johnson and Maraja Pass led the Phoenix (1-2) with 6 points apiece. Johnson went 3-for-5 while Pass went 2-for-7 from the floor. Aziaha James led three double figure scorers for the Wolfpack with 20 points.

“Tonight was a tale of two different teams. We have to find a way to be consistent with our identity. We don’t have time to hang our heads,” said head coach Charlotte Smith. “We have another competitive game on Saturday. We will learn from tonight and focus forward.”

THE RUNDOWN

• NC State jumped out to a quick 7-0 within the first two minutes of play. Elon responded with two three-pointers from Regina Walton and Jessica Booth followed by a layup from Ava Leroux to pull within one. The Wolfpack finished the quarter on a 19-3 run to gain a 28-12 lead.
• The Wolfpack outscored the Phoenix 16-2 in the second quarter to enter halftime with a 44-14 lead. Elon shot 18.2% (6-for-33) in the half while forcing 13 turnovers. 
• Both teams traded baskets in the first few minutes of the third with Elon going on a 7-6 run, but NC State went on 14-6 run to end the quarter up 67-27.
• In the final 10 minutes of play, the Wolfpack outscored Elon 23-8 to seal a 90-35 win. 

NOTES

• Iycez Adams, Jessica Booth, Maya Johnson, Vanessa Taylor and Regina Walton started for the Phoenix. 
• The Phoenix shot 35.7% (5-for-14) in the third quarter.
• Johnson along with Pass scored a team-high six points. Johnson also recorded two blocks, the most this season by any Phoenix player.
• Diamond Monroe and Walton led the team with three boards each.
• Taylor paced the team with two steals and a career-high five assists. Pass followed matching her career-high in assists with four.  
• Elon assisted on 60% of its made field goals with nine assists on 15 made shots. 
• The Phoenix forced 16 Wolfpack turnovers and finished with a turnover margin of +4. 
• For the third time this season, all 12 players for Elon saw action.

UP NEXT

• Elon will face another ranked ACC program when it travels to No. 17 North Carolina on Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. inside Carmichael Arena. 

— ELON –