Box Score Jan. 16, 2013
Final Stats
BRONX, N.Y. -
If one had to pick a theme for the 2012-2013 Fordham Rams up until Wednesday night, it would have been "first time in a while." The Rams had their first 4-0 start since 1995, secured their first ten win non-conference slate since 1983-1984 and won their first A-10 road opener since 1998. Now, the Rams can add a "first ever" to that list, moving to 2-0 in the A-10 for the first time in program history following their 69-57 win over UMass (3-14, 1-1) in the Rose Hill Gym.
With the win, Fordham improved 12-5 on the year and locked up their first five game win streak since December of 2003.
The Rams jumped out to an early lead in their A-10 home opener, holding a 7-2 advantage after an Abigail Corning jumper less than two minutes into the game. But UMass worked their way back into it, knotting the game at seven less than two minutes later.
The two teams traded buckets over the next ten or so minutes, resulting in a 22-22 tie with just under five minutes left on the clock. From there, Erin Rooney rattled off six points and dished out an assist in a 10-4 Fordham run, giving the Rams a 32-26 advantage heading into the locker room.
Rooney and Samantha Clark led the way in the first half with eight points apiece for the Rams. Marah Strickland added six points and five boards, while Corning chipped in six as well.
Play proved fairly even over the first five and a half minutes of the second half, with Fordham bumping their lead to seven, 42-35.
With the team struggling from the floor, Rooney began to sink shots like she has so many times this season. The junior guard scored nine consecutive points for the Rams, maintaining the team's lead, 47-40, after an and-one with just under 12 minutes to go.
Following Rooney's run, the buckets began to fall again and the Rams erupted for an 11-2 run, giving them a 58-42 lead with 7:38 to go in the game.
Corning, who proved so clutch at the close of the Charlotte game just days before, nailed back-to-back jumpers to quiet a UMass threat after the Minutewomen shaved the lead down to seven with just over two minutes to go.
UMass bridged the gap to seven again, but free throws from Strickland, Charlotte Stoddart and Arielle Collins sealed the game and Fordham came out on top with a 69-57 victory.
For the Rams, it was Rooney topping the stat sheet once again, finishing with 19 points, tying a career-high with eight field goals, collecting four boards and dishing out three assists.
Three other players finished in double figures for the Rams. Corning capped her seventh straight contest in double figures, netting 14 points and pulling down eight boards. Strickland registered 14 points and six boards and Clark turned in what was arguably her most complete game of the year, tallying ten points, eight rebounds, six blocks and three assists.
Fordham dominated the offensive glass against the Minutewomen, pulling down 15 offensive rebounds that resulted in 19 second chance points.
The Rams will be back in action this coming Sunday, hosting the Richmond Spiders in the Rose Hill Gym at 2 PM.
