ELON – LaNae’ Corbett scored 25 points to lead a balanced attack as the Elon women’s basketball team opened its 2026-27 season with a dominant 84-50 win over UNC Pembroke on Monday night at Schar Center.
Corbett went 12-of-16 from the field and added seven rebounds. The Phoenix shot 51% (35-of-69) from the field and recorded 17 steals. Tamia Watkins added 17 points, while Ashanti Fox and Macayla Askew scored 12 and 11, respectively, to reach double figures.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Phoenix jumped out to an 8-3 lead before UNC Pembroke answered with consecutive 3-pointers to take a 9-8 lead. Elon closed the quarter on an 11-3 run to lead 20-11 after one.
- Elon opened the second quarter on a 13-2 run, extending its lead to 26-13 behind a pair of baskets from LaNae’ Corbett and a 3-pointer from Ashanti Fox. The Phoenix continued to force turnovers and convert them into points, taking a 44-27 lead into halftime.
- Elon outscored UNC Pembroke 19-11 in the third quarter, extending its lead to 63-38 heading into the final period.
- The teams traded baskets to open the fourth quarter before back-to-back baskets from Macayla Askew put Elon ahead 76-47. The Phoenix closed the game on an 8-3 run to seal the 84-50 victory.
NOTES & STATS
- Ashanti Fox and Kierra Morrow made their first collegiate starts, joining LaNae’ Corbett, Tyana Walker and Tamia Watkins.
- Corbett reached double figures for the 30th time in her career, leading Elon with 25 points.
- Watkins added 17 points, five rebounds and two assists.
- Fox scored 12 points, reaching double figures for the 15th time in her career, while adding three assists and two steals.
- Macayla Askew scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting and led the Phoenix with four steals.
- Morrow grabbed a career-high eight rebounds, while Samira Khalil finished with a team-high four assists.
- Elon’s 84 points were its most in a season opener since scoring 88 against Gardner-Webb on Nov. 25, 2020.
- Elon shot 51% (35-of-69) from the field, its highest shooting percentage since shooting 54% (27-of-50) against Hampton on March 12, 2026.
- The Phoenix held advantages over the Braves in rebounds (39-33), points in the paint (52-16), steals (17-5) and assists (15-9).
- Tonight’s victory marked Elon’s third consecutive season-opening win and fifth straight victory over UNC Pembroke.
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