Box Score Nov. 23, 2007
Box Score
Coral Gables, Fla. -
Despite a superb defensive effort, the Fordham Rams fell to the Miami Hurricanes, 57-40, in the opening round of the University of Miami Thanksgiving Tournament, held at the Bank United Center in Coral Gables, Fla.
With the loss, Fordham stays winless at 0-5 and will play Monmouth (0-4) in the consolation game on Saturday. Miami evens their record at 2-2, and will face Butler in the championship game.
Neither team played particularly well at the offensive end in the first half. Miami eventually grabbed an 18-6 lead following back-to-back three-pointers from Vitalija Vasciunaite. Fordham then crept their way back into the game, holding Miami to just two points over the final eight minutes of the period. After a pair of made free throws by Beth Troutt and Kristina Bell, Annie Zopf nailed a three-pointer to close the Fordham deficit to 18-13. Fordham got two more free throws from Megan Mahoney to keep the deficit at five, before Kassie Humphries was fouled at the buzzer and made one of two free throws to leave Fordham behind 20-16 at the half.
Down only four at the break, the Rams had to improve on their shooting, as the Rams made only three baskets in the first half. Annie Zopf was Fordham's top scorer at the half with five points.
Unfortunately, the Rams went scoreless over the first four minutes, enabling Miami to extend their lead to 26-16, as Lamese James scored four early points. After a Fordham basket cut the lead back to single digits, Vasciunaite hit two more three-pointers for Miami, giving them a 34-18 lead with 13:00 left. Miami would lead by as many as 29 in the second half, before Fordham got three-pointers from Kyara Weekes, Troutt, and Raina Spencer, which closed the gap to 55-35, but the Rams eventually fell by 17.
For Fordham, Beth Troutt finished as the high scorer with eight points and three rebounds, while Raina Spencer chipped in seven points and seven rebounds. Annie Zopf also netted seven points, while Kristina Bell had six points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
The Rams will now take on Monmouth in the consolation game of the Miami Thanksgiving Tournament, beginning at 5:00 PM at the Bank United Center.
