Box Score Jan. 30, 2008
Box Score
Amherst, Mass. -
With the game tied at 59 with under a minute left, Fordham put forth a gutsy effort against the UMass Minutewomen, but Alisha Tatham's bucket with 7.2 seconds left gave the Minutewomen a 61-59 victory over the Fordham Rams at the Mullins Center.
Fordham gained the early advantage in the game behind six points from Annie Zopf and five from Megan Mahoney, but UMass connected for three three-point plays to grab a 17-13 lead with 11:57 in the first half. Kate Mills scored her tenth point of the first half on a 16-foot jumper, which the pushed the Minutewomen lead to seven, 21-14, with 7:46 left. Fordham pulled to within four, 26-22, following baskets from Kassie Humphries and Takita Earl, as well as two free throws by Megan Mahoney. UMass extended their lead to eight, 30-22, but Fordham closed the gap with a basket by Mahoney and a three-pointer from Beth Troutt, to pull within three, 30-27, heading to halftime.
At the half, UMass' Kate Mills led all scorers with 14 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Megan Mahoney had 10 points and three rebounds with Kassie Humphries adding six points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Fordham opened the second half with the first three baskets, taking a 33-30 lead, as Earl, Mahoney, and Kristina Bell each notched a basket. The Minutewomen responded with eight straight points, including four from Mills, to regain a 38-33 lead with 13:39 remaining. Stephanie Gerardot then hit UMass' first three-pointer of the game, extending their lead to seven, 42-35, with under 12 minutes left. The lead then got knocked down to five, 51-46, as Annie Zopf netted a three, followed by a fast break basket by Mahoney.
The Rams then scored six straight to close within one, 53-52, capped by a steal and basket by Mahoney with 3:49 to go. After a basket by UMass, Zopf tied the game at 55 with a three-point play with 2:21 remaining, and then Fordham took the lead on a short jumper by Mahoney, 57-55. Mills responded at the other end with a jumper, leaving the game tied at 57 with 1:11 to go.
With 28 seconds left, Mills stole a Fordham inbounds pass and got the lead back for the Minutewomen, but Mahoney scored at the other end to tie the game at 59. Alisha Tatham then drove the lane and made a lay-up with 7.2 seconds, giving the lead back to UMass. After a timeout, Fordham inbounded the ball and sent a long pass to Mahoney, but it was deflected to a UMass player, who was able to run out the clock.
For Fordham, Megan Mahoney netted a team-high 24 points to go with five rebounds and four steals, while Annie Zopf had 12 points and three rebounds. Kassie Humphries added eight points and seven rebounds, with Takita Earl having six points and 12 rebounds.
UMass' Kate Mills recorded a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Pam Rosanio had 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Fordham women's basketball team will next be in action on Saturday, February 2nd, as they play at the University of Richmond at 2:00 PM.
