Box Score Jan. 5, 2008
Box Score
Bronx, N.Y. -
The Fordham Rams were primed to collect their first win of the season today at the Rose Hill Gym, leading by 13 at the half over the Longwood Lancers, who had committed 21 turnovers by the break. However, Longwood's Keiva Small scored 18 of her game-high 26 points in the second half to spark the Lancers (8-9) to a 62-56 come from behind win over the Fordham Rams (0-15).
Everything went Fordham's way in the first half, as they built a double figure lead halfway through the period at 20-10. The Rams built an 18-point lead, their largest of the season with 2:33 left, as Beth Troutt hit a three-pointer, followed by four points from Annie Zopf. Longwood cut into the Fordham lead on back-to-back three-pointers from Keiva Small, but Fordham still led by 13 at the break, 35-22.
Fordham held Longwood to just 8-of-30 shooting (26.7%) in the period, while Longwood committed 21 first half turnovers, which led to 15 Fordham points. Fordham's Annie Zopf and Longwood's Anna Steg each scored 10 points to lead their respective teams at the half.
The second half saw the momentum change quickly, as Fordham's Kristina Bell, who had three fouls in the first half, picked up two more fouls in the first 1:03 to foul out of the game. Longwood then reeled off the first 13 points of the second half to tie the game at 35, as Small scored nine of those points. The Rams regained the lead on a pair of baskets by Megan Mahoney, but Small responded with another three-pointer and a lay-up to give Longwood their first lead, 40-39, since the opening moments of the game.
Fordham regained the advantage as Takita Earl hit a short jumper, followed by a three-pointer by Zopf to give Fordham a 44-42 lead with 9:47 remaining. Amber Sims gave Longwood the lead again on two free throws and a made jumper (48-44), but Fordham closed the lead to one on a three-point play by Raina Spencer with 8:05 left. The teams exchanged three-pointers and made free throws over the next seven minutes, but Longwood continued to lead by three, 59-56, with one minute remaining.
On the ensuing Fordham possession, Mahoney drove the lane, but was called for an offensive foul, which fouled her out of the game. Longwood, who committed just three turnovers in the second half and out rebounded Fordham 57-36 in the game, hit three of their final six free throws, which closed out a six-point victory for the Lancers.
For Fordham, Annie Zopf tied a career-high with 19 points to go with three steals, while Megan Mahoney had 13 points and four rebounds. Kristina Bell added eight points and three steals with Takita Earl having four points and 12 rebounds.
Longwood's Keiva Small scored a game-high 26 points to go with 10 rebounds and three steals, while Anna Steg also had a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Courtney Dyer also finished in double figures with ten points and four assists.
The Fordham women's basketball team will next be in action on Saturday, January 12th, as they open Atlantic 10 play against the Saint Louis University Billkens at 1:00 PM at the Rose Hill Gym.
