Box Score Nov. 25, 2008
Box Score
Bronx, N.Y. -
Behind a balanced scoring attack where no Ram finished with more than nine points, the Fordham Rams hit their stride in the second half, shooting over 48% to defeat the NJIT Highlanders, 57-45, at the Rose Hill Gym on Wednesday night. With the win, Fordham evens their record at 2-2 on the season, while NJIT falls to 0-3.
Both teams started out sluggish in the first half with NJIT leading 12-7 halfway through the period. Fordham closed the gap to one, 17-16 on a lay-up by Megan Mahoney and then tied the game at 21 on a three-pointer by Annie Zopf with 1:30 remaining. NJIT however regained a four-point edge by halftime, 25-21, as Jessica Gerald hit four free throws to close out the period.
At the break, neither team could find their offensive groove, as both squads made only eight field goals apiece in the first half. NJIT's Jessica Gerald led all scorers with eight points, which all came on free throws, while Fordham's Annie Zopf was the top Ram with six points.
The Fordham offense then got going in the second half, scoring the first eight points, capped by a Zopf three-pointer to take a 29-25 lead with 17:17 remaining. After NJIT closed the gap to two, 33-31, the Rams went on a 16-4 run over a five-minute stretch to lead 49-35 with 8:35 to go. In that stretch, Tiffany Stokes and Mahoney each had five points.
Fordham extended the lead to as many as 16 on a steal and fast break lay-up by Stokes with 4:06 to go and went on to a 12-point victory, 57-45.
For Fordham, Megan Mahoney and Tiffany Stokes each had nine points and seven rebounds, while Annie Zopf also had nine points. Takita Earl recorded eight points and four rebounds and tied a career-high with four blocks. Randall Hurst also had eight points and five rebounds for the Rams.
NJIT's Taiwo Oyelola led all scorers with 11 points, while Jessica Gerald had 10 points.
The Fordham women's basketball team will now hit the road for the first time this season, as they participate in the Cancun Thanksgiving Classic in Cancun, Mexico. The Rams will play UNC-Wilmington on Friday, November 28th at 5:00 PM ET, and then take on either South Carolina or Ohio University on Saturday, November 29th.
