Saturday’s 44-42 win was one of those games that every team trying to build a foundation for success has to go through, a grind-it-out- type of contest where teams missed open looks, key players had off days, and aggressive defense helped Fordham escape with a two-point victory over San Diego. In the end the Rams were able to overcame a little adversity and improve to 5-2 before facing Bucknell on Tuesday.
In an all-too-familiar fashion this season for the Rams, the team fell behind early, 4-0, as the Toreros’ torrid play over the first minute plus of the game led to baskets by Dominique Conners and Kameron Knutson. Fordham quickly countered with a three-pointer by Arielle Collins and a jumper from Becky Peters and the Rams owned a 5-4 advantage at 17:53.
From there, San Diego went on a 10-4 run to take a five-lead, 14-9, at 11:25, which was capped by two of Felicia Wijenberg’s 12-points. The five point edge by the visitors was their largest lead of the game.
Fordham turned up the defensive pressure to get back in the game, as they held the Toreros to 6-19 shooting after they opened the game hitting four of their first five shots. They turned that aggressive play into points as three-pointers from Abigail Corning and Collins quickly gave the Rams a one-point edge, 15-14, at 8:42.
At the 5:35 mark, Fordham was involved in a play that aptly summed up the game for Fordham. Charlotte Stoddart started the possession by missing a jumper, but Peters caromed in the rebound. Collins missed a three-pointer, and Corning crashed the boards. She then missed another trifecta, and Peters hauled in the rebound. Stoddart missed a three, got her own shot back and found Collins who missed a layup. San Diego took in the rebound, but Collins got the ball back on the steal and later buried a three-pointer to give the Rams an 18-14 lead. In that sequence, Fordham had four offensive rebounds, a steal and a three-pointer.
The Toreros used a 7-0 run to close out the final five minutes of the half and led 22-18 at halftime. Dominique Conners made the final bucket as time expired to chip in with two of her game-high 18 points.
The second half began with the Toreros equaling their largest first-half lead of five points as a Conners layup at 14:54 gave them a 28-23 advantage. Fordham quickly tied the game as Peters nailed a three and Taryn Durant made a put back at 13:15 that leveled the score at 28-28.
The final five minutes of the games saw both teams trade the lead as a Peters’ three gave Fordham a 36-34 lead at 4:34. Conners tied the game with a pair of free throws, and Katie Kuklok put them ahead, 39-37, with a three-pointer at 3:29.
The San Diego lead was short lived though, as Collins buried her fourth three-pointer of the game at 3:02, to give the Rams a 40-39 lead. The Fordham edge got to three, 42-39, on a pair of foul shots from Peters, but the Toreros evened the score at 42-42 when Morgan Woodrow buried a three-pointer with 1:08 remaining.
The final minute saw the Rams take a 44-42 lead as Peters drove to the basket with less than 10 seconds remaining. She missed the shot, but drew the foul and Peters calmly made both free throws.
The Rams, who had a foul to give, then used a little strategy and fouled San Diego on the inbounds play. As a result, the Toreros got the ball under the Fordham basket and had to go the length of the court with seconds left. Conners missed a desperation toss and the Rams held on for the 44-42 win.
Peters scored 16 points to lead the Rams. Collins finished with 14 points and shot 50% from the field. As a team, Fordham made 8-19 (42.1%) from behind the three-point line.
The women’s basketball team will be on the road in its next three contests, beginning with a matchup against Bucknell Tuesday, December 6 at 7:00 P.M.
Game Notes: This was the lowest score in a win for Fordham since they beat Dayton 41-39 on January 7, 2001…Abigail Corning grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds in the game…Her previous high (9) came against Albany last year…The Rams outrebounded San Diego, 40-31, the fifth time this year the team accomplished the feat…Becky Peters started her 85th game, tying Mobolaji Akiode for 8th place.
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