Davis' Career Highs Help Women's Basketball Win Atlantic 10 Opener Over Davidson

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BRONX, N.Y. -- For the fourth straight year and the sixth time in program history, the Fordham women's basketball team was victorious in its Atlantic 10 opener, as the Rams defeated Davidson, 51-40, Saturday inside the Rose Hill Gym. With the victory, Fordham improves to 6-8 (1-0 A10) on the season, while the Wildcats fall to 6-8 (0-1 A10) overall.

Sophomore G'mrice Davis poured in a career-high 21 points and tied a career high in rebounds with 10 to collect her fourth double-double of the season while knocking down 9-of-10 free throws. Senior Samantha Clark recorded her sixth double-double of the season, after corralling 13 rebounds for the second time this week – tying a season high – and added 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field.

The Rams' defense was stifling all game en route to holding Davidson to just 25.9 percent (15-of-58) from the field, including 3-of-13 from three-point range. The Wildcats only scored 15 points in the first half, a season-low total Fordham has held an opponent to at halftime or in any half this season.

Meanwhile, the offense had it struggles from the field as well, finishing at 35.8 percent (19-of-53) and only 2-of-12 from long range. But the Rams connected on 11-of-14 free throws to help their cause and edged Davidson on the glass, 41-39.

Fordham trailed 8-6 midway through the first half until back-to-back-to-back buckets from Davis, sophomore Asnate Fomina and Clark moved the Rams in front, 12-8, after 10 minutes of play. The run eventually became a 15-1 flurry, as a jumper from Davis with 5:17 remaining before halftime produced a 21-9 lead. Fordham would ultimately take a 25-15 advantage into halftime.

The lead grew to 20 points in the third quarter, with the Rams outscoring the Wildcats, 18-10, before Fordham entered the final stanza leading, 43-25.

Davidson held a 15-8 advantage in the fourth quarter and was able to slice the deficit to 10 twice, but it was not nearly enough, as the Rams were able to clinch the conference opener, 51-40, to hold its opponent to less than 50 points in three of the last four games and for the fifth time this season, resulting in five victories.

Dakota Dukes, Mackenzie Latt and Diona Johnson all scored 12 points to combine for 36 of the Wildcats' 40 points, while Hannah Early grabbed a team-best 12 rebounds.

Fordham returns to action Thursday, Jan. 7 when it travels to Olean, N.Y. to take on St. Bonaventure in Atlantic 10 action at 7 p.m.