Box Score Dec. 10, 2008
Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
New Rochelle, N.Y. - The Fordham Rams put on a shooting exhibition on Wednesday night at the Hynes Center, shooting 54.2% from the field, which included 12 three-pointers. Unfortunately for the Rams, Iona's Anda Ivkovic and Thazina Cook both scored over 20 points, as the Gaels edged out the Rams, 72-69, in New Rochelle, N.Y.
With the loss, Fordham goes to 4-5 on the year, while Iona improves to 8-2 overall.
Fordham opened the game, hitting 4-of-6 shots from the floor, including three-pointers from Annie Zopf and Kristina Bell to grab a 10-4 lead on Gaels. The Rams continued to hit from long range, as Bell hit her second three-pointer with Becky Peters also hitting a three, leaving Fordham ahead 23-20, with 6:37 remaining. Fordham extended their lead back to six, 32-26, on a three-point basket from Zopf with 3:02 to go. Suzi Fergosi though would hit a three-pointer for Iona in the final minute, leaving Fordham ahead, 34-31, at the break.
At the half, Fordham shot 50% from the field, including 5-of-7 from downtown, to earn the three-point lead, while the defense held Iona to just 2-of-12 shooting from three-point range.
The Rams picked up right where they left off in the first half with a basket by Randall Hurst and another three by Bell, giving Fordham a 39-31 lead, just 1:16 into the period. Zopf and Peters continued the three-point barrage, hitting their third and second of the game, respectively, to give Fordham a 45-33 edge with 16:51 to go. Fordham stayed unconscious behind the arc with their 11th three-pointer of the game, which came from Zopf, putting the Rams up, 56-45. The Rams then took their largest lead of the game at 13, 60-47, on two free throws by Hurst with ten minutes to play.
Iona though would fight their way back to within three, 62-59, after five points from Anda Ivkovic and a basket by Thazina Cook. Kristina Ford then hit a long jumper to get Iona within one, but Zopf responded with a jumper of her own to put Fordham ahead, 64-61, with 3:42 remaining.
Cook then hit a three-point shot to tie the game at 64 with just over two minutes left. Hurst tried to put Fordham back ahead, but missed a lay-up and fouled Ivkovic on the rebound, sending her to the free throw line. Ivkovic made both shots to give Iona the lead, but Hurst tied the game at 66 at the other end with basket with 59 seconds on the clock.
Cook then hit her third three-pointer of the game to put Iona back ahead, 69-66. Zopf tried to respond for Fordham, but her three point shot fell short with Fordham committing fouls to try and extend the game. Iona though would hit three of four free throws to put them ahead, 72-66. Peters would hit a buzzer beater three-pointer, her fifth of the game, but still left Fordham with a three-point loss.
The Rams finished 12-for-16 from three-point range, the most three-pointer by the Rams since December 16, 1999, when the Rams hit 12 at Texas. Fordham's 75.0% three-point shooting effort is the top mark in the NCAA this season, passing Air Force's 73.3% against N.C.Central. Overall, Fordham shot a season-best 54.2% from the field, but made 21 turnovers in the game, which led to 25 Iona points.
For Fordham, Becky Peters scored a season-high 23 points, hitting 5-for-5 from three point range, while adding four rebounds and four assists. Annie Zopf hit four three-pointers in the game, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists, with Kristina Bell adding 11 points (three three-pointers), four rebounds and four assists. Takita Earl also finished in double figures, tying a career-high with 10 points to go with five rebounds and three blocks.
For Iona, Anda Ivkovic scored 23 points and six rebounds, while Thazina Cook netted 22 points and five rebounds.
The Fordham women's basketball team will next be in action on Saturday, December 13th, as they play at UNC-Greensboro, beginning at 1:00 PM.
