TOWSON, Md. --- A strong start to the first quarter and a solid finish to the third were not enough Sunday afternoon as the Towson University women's basketball team fell 71-45 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action against Elon University.
 
The Tigers (8-12, 3-6 CAA) got a third-straight double-digit game from red-shirt senior guard Raine Bankston, who put up a team-high 16 points. Towson's defense came up with 14 steals and five blocks, including two each from Nukiya Mayo and Mary Cuevas.
 
Elon (13-7, 5-4 CAA) had two players in double-digits, with a game-high 21 points from Shay Burnett and another 14 from Ra'Shika White off the bench. Elon hit 45.6 percent of its field goals for the game.
 
How It Happened

• It was a slow start to Sunday's game. The two teams combined for just six points through the first five minutes of the game.
• Towson tied the game at 4-4 after a pair of Cuevas free throws. Elon regained a three-point lead after Lexi Mercer hit a 3-pointer with 4:08 to play in the first.
• The Tigers took the lead again after Cuevas knocked down a jumper and Jalynn Holmes got a layup for a 10-9 Towson advantage.
• After Elon grabbed a 14-12 lead in the final minute, Cuevas powered her way through the paint for a buzzer-beating layup and a 14-14 tie through 10 minutes.
• Towson struggled early in the second quarter and Elon went on a 13-3 run, building to a 14-point, 29-15 lead. The Phoenix eventually built to a 17-point advantage, making it 38-21 at halftime.
• After a slow start in the third quarter, the Tigers rebounded, going on a 15-10 run over the final six and a half minutes. Bankston had nine of those points on her own.
• Elon took control in the final frame, out-scoring the Tigers 17-6.

 
Behind the Numbers

• Bankston finished the game with 16 points, hitting five of 12 from the field. She was the only Tiger in double figures.
• Nukiya Mayo pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, her third-straight game with at least 10 boards. She has double-digit rebounds in six CAA games with double-digit rebounds and marks the second time in league play she has three-straight such games.
• Elon had two players in double-digits, with Shay Burnett posting a game-high 21. Ra'Shika White added 14 for the Phoenix.
• In a rare occurance, the Tigers were out-rebounded in a league game as Elon grabbed a 43-35 advantage.
• The Phoenix hit 66.7 percent of its field goals in the second quarter (8-of-12) and finished the game at 45.6 percent.
• Towson shot well in the first and third quarters, combining to go 11-28 in those frames (39.2 percent).
• Towson's hands were active, coming up with 14 steals. Bankston led the game with four of her own. Six different Tigers had at least one steal.

 
Up Next for Towson

• The Tigers split time on the road and at home next weekend.
• Towson begins the week at Drexel on Friday, previewing the CAA Tournament venue, Daskalakis Athletic Center.
• Game time in Philadelphia is set for 7 p.m. in the first meeting between the teams this season.
• Towson then returns home on Super Bowl Sunday for a 2 p.m. tipoff against William & Mary.

- TowsonTigers.com -