Box Score Nov. 27, 2010
Box Score
Lawrence, Kansas -
Following an emotional game last night, the Fordham women's basketball team had a quick turnaround at the BTI Tip-Off Classic against North Dakota State on Saturday, but couldn't quite get started against the Bison. North Dakota State got a game-high 18 points from Katie Birkel, while shooting 47% as a team, as the Bison topped the Rams, 65-52, at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.
With the loss, Fordham falls to 4-3, while North Dakota State improved to 3-2.
Fordham jetted out to a quick 7-3 lead in the early stages, highlighted by a three-pointer from Charlotte Stoddart. The score was then even at nine all, before a quick 6-0 spurt by the Bison opened up a 15-9 lead. Kristina Bell responded with a made jumper, followed by a three-pointer by Arielle Collins, drawing Fordham within one, 15-14.
Fordham would hold North Dakota State to just two points over a seven-minute stretch, as the Rams eventually knotted the game at 17, and took the lead, 19-17, on a Becky Peters layup. The lead was short-lived as the Bison tied the score on the following possession, and later grabbed the lead back on a Janae Burich layup, 23-21, with 2:48 remaining in the half. Hannah Linz then closed out the half with back-to-back three-pointers to lead North Dakota State into the locker room with a 29-21edge.
At the break, the biggest difference was on the glass, as North Dakota State had a 29-15 edge in rebounding, while the Rams were only able to convert 12 Bison turnovers into seven points.
The Bison kept adding to the lead, opening the second half with an 11-4 surge, with Katie Birkel having seven of those points, to open up a 15-point lead, 40-25.
Trailing by double-digits for most of the second half, Fordham got within 10 on two occasions on an Abigail Corning three-pointer, which made it a 48-38 game, and later at 56-46, on a Peters' jumper. The Rams however could not close the gap any further, as the Bison would go onto a 13-point victory.
For the game, the Bison finished with a 47-34 rebounding advantage, while shooting 47% from the field, compared to 33% for the Rams.
For Fordham, Peters was the top scorer with 17 points, five rebounds, and five steals, while Bell finished with eight points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Corning also added eight points for the Rams with Caitlin Shadbolt having seven points and four boards.
The Fordham women's basketball team closes out play at the BTI Tip-Off Classic on Sunday against host Kansas at 2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 PM Central).
Game Notes: This was the first-ever meeting between Fordham and North Dakota State... This was only the second time this season that Fordham was out rebounded in a game (Bucknell)... With 17 points, Becky Peters surpassed 700 career points. She is currently 31st on the Rams' all-time scoring list with 710 points.
