Box Score Dec. 13, 2008
Box Score
Greensboro, N.C. -
Following a hot shooting effort earlier in the week, Saturday afternoon's contest between Fordham and UNC Greensboro turned into a defensive battle, where both teams struggled to find offense. In the end, Fordham could not overcome 21 turnovers and a 1-for-14 performance from three-point range, as the Spartans topped the Rams, 50-39, at Fleming Gym in Greensboro, N.C.
With the loss, Fordham goes to 4-6 on the season, while UNC Greensboro improves to 4-5 overall.
After a torrid shooting performance on Wednesday night, the Rams' offense struggled as the Spartans took a 5-0 lead four minutes into the contest, as the two teams combined for nine turnovers in that span. The Rams eventually got on the board on a jumper by Becky Peters, and then closed the gap to three, 9-6, on a jumper from Annie Zopf. The Spartans responded with a 13-2 run over a 7:13 stretch to take a 22-8 lead, highlighted by a pair of baskets each by Gini Grimsley and Lakiah Hyson. Hyson would hit a three-pointer later in the half, where the Spartans would take a 27-14 lead into halftime.
In total, the teams combined for 27 turnovers in the first half, which slowed down both offenses. Fordham was limited to 6-of-17 shooting in the half, due to 15 turnovers, while UNC Greensboro was 10-of-26 from the floor with 12 turnovers. The Spartans however capitalized on those turnovers, scoring 13 points with Fordham having six.
The Spartans increased their lead at the start of the second half to 36-21, on four points from Grimsley and a three-point shot from Amanda Leigh. Peters would start Fordham's comeback into the game, scoring four baskets through the first eight minutes of the half, including a three, to get Fordham with 12, 38-26. Peters continued to score, hitting three more shots to leave Fordham behind 40-32.
The Rams' defense held the Spartans without a basket for close to seven minutes, allowing Fordham to get within five, 42-37, with 3:33 remaining. Tiffany Stokes then made a lay-up for the Rams, putting the score within three with 2:25 to go. Unfortunately, that would be the final points the Rams would score, as the Spartans scored the final eight points of the game for an 11-point win.
For Fordham, Becky Peters led the way with 17 points and five rebounds, while Annie Zopf added eight points and three steals. Kristina Bell hauled in a game-high eight rebounds, while Takita Earl had seven boards and three blocks.
UNC Greensboro's Gini Grimsley paced the Spartans with 16 points and six rebounds with Lakiah Hyson adding nine points and seven boards.
The Fordham women's basketball team will now be off for exams until Monday, December 22nd, when they host Central Connecticut State at the Rose Hill Gym, beginning at 7:00 PM.
