Box Score Nov. 9, 2012
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Albany, N.Y. -
Former college coach Al McGuire once said, "There's nothing better than winning on the road." The Fordham women's basketball team had that feeling and then some on Friday night at the SEFCU Arena in Albany, New York. Four Rams finished in double figures to lead Fordham to a 60-43 victory over the Albany Great Danes, the defending America East champion and an NCAA tournament team from a year ago.
The win marks the first time since 2009 that Fordham opened the season with a victory. That season the win also came at the expense of the Great Danes, as Fordham improved to 3-1 all-time against Albany.
After a couple of quick baskets by Albany opened the game, Fordham kicked into gear, taking a 7-6 lead on a pull-up jumper by Charlotte Stoddart. The Rams extended the lead to 15-6 on three-pointers from Arielle Collins and Stoddart, as the Rams outscored the Great Danes, 12-0, over a seven-minute stretch.
The Rams would hold Albany without a basket for over eight minutes before a three-pointer by Sarah Royals made it 17-9 in favor of Fordham. Fordham would hold that lead for the rest of the period, leading, 24-17, at the break.
Defense was the story of the first half, as both squads held the other under 30% shooting from the field, while Fordham forced Albany into 12 turnovers, leading to 11 points on the offensive end. At the break, Collins led Fordham with six points and five rebounds, while Emily Tapio had four points and hauled in six rebounds. Royals was the top scorer for the Great Danes with seven points, while Julie Forster had six points and nine boards.
Fordham came out firing away from three-point range in the second half. Collins and Erin Rooney hit back-to-back three-pointers, giving Fordham its largest lead of the game at 32-17. Fordham maintained that nine to twelve-point lead, getting key three-pointers from Stoddart, Abigail Corning, and Rooney once again to hold off any potential run by Albany.
The Great Danes would only get within nine points for the rest of the contest, as Fordham connected on 10-of-12 free throws over the final five minutes to seal up the 60-43 victory.
The Rams would hold Albany to just 29% shooting for the contest, which included 4-for-18 from long range, and had a 21-6 edge in points off turnovers.
Rooney finished with a team-high 15 points to go with four assists and four rebounds in her debut as a Ram, while Collins netted 14 points, hitting 4-of-6 from three-point range. Stoddart and Corning each chipped in 10 points with Tapio adding nine points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
Albany was led by Forster, who finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds.
The Fordham women's basketball team will next be in action on Sunday, November 11th, when the Rams travel to Ithaca, New York, for a 1:00 PM contest against the Cornell Big Red.
