CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — The College of Charleston women’s basketball team used a dominant second quarter to pull away from Elon for an 87-64 victory Sunday at TD Arena. The Cougars (14-3, 4-1 Colonial) outscored the Phoenix 32-15 in the period, turning a five-point lead into a commanding 53-32 halftime advantage. Elon (7-10, 2-3) could not recover. Taryn Barbot led College of Charleston with 20 points and four assists. Tyja Beans added 18 points and six rebounds. Laila Anderson scored a game-high 21 points for Elon. An announced crowd of 815 watched the Cougars win their third straight conference game.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — The College of Charleston women’s basketball team used a dominant second quarter to seize control and never looked back, cruising to an 87-64 victory over Elon in a Colonial Athletic Association contest Sunday afternoon at TD Arena. The Cougars, improving to 14-3 overall and bolstering their strong position in the conference, outscored the Phoenix 32-15 in the pivotal second period to turn a competitive game into a commanding lead. That surge established a 53-31 halftime advantage that proved insurmountable for Elon, which fell to 7-10. The most important stretch of the game unfolded decisively in that second quarter. After Elon’s Laila Anderson hit a 3-pointer to cut the Cougars’ lead to 23-20 with 8:56 left in the half, College of Charleston unleashed a game-defining 18-2 run over the next four and a half minutes. The burst was fueled by balanced scoring and stifling defense. Taryn Barbot and Anilys Rolon each connected from beyond the arc during the run, while Tyja Beans and Grace Ezebilo controlled the interior. The Cougars forced multiple Elon turnovers, converting them into easy transition points, and held the Phoenix without a field goal for over four minutes. By the time Ashlee Shaw made a pair of free throws for Elon to momentarily stop the bleeding, the Cougars led 41-22 and had effectively put the game out of reach. Elon showed resilience in the fourth quarter, outscoring Charleston 21-12 as both teams utilized their benches, but the deficit was too large to overcome. Anderson, a guard from Burlington, North Carolina, led all scorers with 21 points for Elon, adding four rebounds and two blocks in 29 minutes. Ashanti Fox contributed nine points and four assists. The Cougars showcased a deep and potent offensive attack, with four players scoring in double figures. Barbot, a guard from Floral Park, New York, led the way with 20 points, four assists and three steals in 31 minutes. Beans, from Daytona Beach, Florida, was a force inside with 18 points and six rebounds. Taylor Barbot, also from Floral Park, orchestrated the offense with 14 points and a game-high six assists, while Rolon, from Orlando, Florida, provided a spark off the bench with 14 points, all in the first half. Perhaps the most impactful performance came from Ezebilo. The 6-foot-1 forward from Nigeria dominated the glass, pulling down 13 rebounds to go with four points, two steals and a block in just 22 minutes, anchoring a Charleston defense that limited Elon’s second-chance opportunities. For Elon, LaNae’ Corbett added eight points and five rebounds, and Tyana Walker grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. The game was the first of a home-and-home series between the two CAA foes this season. They will meet again in just 12 days, on Jan. 30, at Elon’s Schar Center. The Cougars, who entered the game with a 90.9% win probability according to National Statistical’s ELO system, lived up to that billing by shooting efficiently and sharing the ball, tallying 18 assists on their 32 made field goals. They also capitalized on Elon’s 17 turnovers, scoring 22 points off those miscues. Elon will look to rebound when it hosts North Carolina A&T on Friday. College of Charleston hits the road for its next contest, facing UNC Wilmington on Friday.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — A surging College of Charleston women’s basketball team will look to extend its winning streak when it hosts Elon in a Colonial Athletic Association matchup Sunday at TD Arena. The Cougars (12-3 overall) have won five straight games, most recently an 88-75 road victory at Hampton on Jan. 11. They sit near the top of the conference standings with a 4-0 record in league play. Elon (6-9) has struggled recently, losing two of its last three, including a 52-62 loss at Campbell on Jan. 9. The game features a contrast in offensive firepower. College of Charleston averages 73.1 points per game during its streak, powered by guard Tyja Beans. The standout junior is coming off a 24-point, six-rebound performance against Hampton and has scored in double figures in four consecutive contests, averaging 17.3 points per game in that span. Elon, averaging 64.7 points per game, will counter with guard Ashanti Fox. The sophomore is coming off a 14-point, four-assist effort in the loss to Campbell and has been a key facilitator for the Phoenix. Forward LaNae’ Corbett, who scored a team-high 17 points against Campbell, provides an interior presence. The Cougars’ balanced attack includes the backcourt duo of Taryn Barbot and Taylor Barbot, who combined for 21 points and 15 assists against Hampton. Their defensive pressure, forcing an average of 18 turnovers during the win streak, will challenge an Elon team that committed 17 turnovers in its last outing. Historically, the series has been competitive, adding intrigue to the first of two regular-season meetings. The teams will meet again in Elon, North Carolina, on Jan. 30. For Elon, the game begins a tough stretch of conference play. For College of Charleston, it represents an opportunity to solidify its strong start and defend its home court, where it is 6-1 this season. Tipoff is set for Sunday afternoon.