The Elon Phoenix came into Reynolds Coliseum presenting an unexpected challenge for the Wolfpack, but N.C. State was able to bounce back from a two-game losing streak and pulled out a 88-73 win to improve its record to 6-4 this season. Elon fell to under-.500 with the loss and its record now stands at 3-4.
All five of the Pack’s starters scored in double-figures and junior guard Myisha Goodwin-Coleman led the way with 13 points.
“I thought we took good shots,” head coach Kellie Harper said. “We had a lot of assists. Statistically, we shot the ball 54 percent for the game. That’s pretty efficient when we got the shot up.”
Following a 22-4 run by the Wolfpack to open the game and it gaining a 22-point lead at the 10:53 mark in the first half, all hope seemed to be lost for the visiting Phoenix. But, in methodic fashion, the Phoenix climbed back into the game one possession at a time, leading the team to cutting the deficit to 42-34 at the half.
A major part of Elon’s run resulted from the Wolfpack committing turnovers and easy shots in the paint. Off State’s nine turnovers, Elon was able to score 12 points. The Phoenix’s Kelsey Harris and Zora Stephenson also kept pace with the Pack; scoring nine points each by the end of the half.
State was also outrebounded, 19-15 in the half.
Elon became a formidable threat to the Pack by cutting its deficit to seven after a jumper from Shannen Cochraham after setting a screen.
Despite the valiant effort from the Phoenix, State found the footing it had in the first half and pulled away.
Senior guard Marissa Kastanek made a jump shot off an inbounds pass to push State’s lead to 20 points with more than seven minutes left in the game. It gave the Pack an insurmountable lead that Elon was never able to overcome.
Elon’s shooting percentage dropped from 48.1 percent in the first half to 32.3 percent in the second while State was able step up its efficiency on the offensive end. The Pack’s shooting percentage increased from 51.5 to 57.1 percent between the halves.
Ali Ford led the Phoenix in scoring with 26 points, 16 of which came in the second half. Harper said, despite the scoring totals, freshman forward Ashley Eli was able to keep her in check and in turn keep Elon at bay.
“I thought Ashley Eli’s defense was really strong,” Harper said. “I don’t know if that’s something that fans can see. But, she did a really nice job on Ali Ford. Ali had 26 but I don’t think she scored on Ashley in the second half.”
After the win, Kastanek believes the team found its identity.
“We’re going to be a tough defensive team, get turnovers down, take really good shots and rebounding,” Kastanek said. “It’s one of those things in practice where if we don’t do it there’s a consequence. It’s one of those things where it’s a focus now. It’s really our identity.”