Coach Karen Kemp had been waiting for this. All season her team has relied on its stingy defense to win games while its offense has been inconsistent and, at times, unproductive. Finally, the offensive efficiency matched the defensive intensity.
The ETSU Lady Bucs used this potent mixture to thoroughly dominate the Elon Phoenixes Monday night and take an 80-62 Southern Conference win.
Early on, the ETSU defense refused to let Elon simply get on the board, as they jumped out to a 12-0 lead. After Elon finally managed a bucket six minutes into the game, the Lady Bucs stretched the lead to 18-2 following a B.J. Banjo three-pointer. Banjo finished the game with 19 points, breaking out of a self-described slump and shooting 4-7 from the three-point line.
“I’m feeling it a little more now,” said Banjo. “I am getting a little more confidence from behind the arc.”
ETSU continued to pressure the Elon guards for the remainder of the half and converted many of the Phoenixes’ turnovers into easy transition baskets of their own. On the strength of that defensive effort, the Lady Bucs carried a 37-26 lead to halftime.
“That’s been our strength all year, our defense,” said Kemp. “We have been wanting to get a better start offensively and I think we did that.”
Following the break ETSU continued to make life tough for Elon offensively.
The Lady Buc guards hounded the Elon backcourt and ultimately forced the Phoenixes into 30 turnovers for the game. The defensive charge was led by Nichelle Akers, who converted several of her steals into lay-ups to go 4-6 from the field, finishing with 10 points.
“We knew Nichelle had the athleticism,” said Kemp. “She’s always been a great defender. Now she is giving us what we need offensively.”
Meanwhile, Candace Gibson and Tiffani Mayes, who refused to give the Phoenix post players anything easy, were also getting into the act.
Gibson had several intimidating blocked shots to go along with her 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Her bucket with six minutes remaining gave ETSU a 70-43 lead, and they cruised from there, despite a late flurry from Elon that made the final score a bit misleading.
Mayes, a senior from Sumter, S.C., was playing her final game in Memorial Center and put her mark on the game with a game-high 20 points.
ETSU improved its record to 11-15 overall and 9-10 in Southern Conference action.
They will play at Georgia Southern on Saturday.
“It will be a difficult task. Hopefully we can have a little win streak going heading into the tournament next week,” Kemp said.
Elon, who fell to 4-22 overall, 3-16 in league action, was led in scoring by 10 points each from Sade Jordan and Kitara McMoore.
Game time for the ETSU is at noon on Saturday.
If the Bucs are victorious Saturday they will finish with a winning average over .500 for the season.

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