Women's Basketball Hosts Iona Saturday

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Bronx, N.Y. – The Fordham women's basketball team (4-3) held a 10-point lead with seven minutes left in regulation at Penn State on Wednesday night but let its lead slip to All-Conference guard Teniya Page, who, along with Amari Carter, outscored the Rams, 14-3, over those final minutes to snatch victory away. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Fordham, who now returns home to the Bronx to host Iona (0-7) on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., the first game of a doubleheader with the men's program.
 
Upcoming Promotions
Toy Drive: The women's basketball teams have been collecting toys over the last couple home games and Saturday's contest against Iona (Dec. 9) is the last chance for fans to make donations for the Maria Ferari Children's Hospital. Fans that bring toys will get a ticket voucher for the women's game against George Washington on December 31.
 
Coach Gaitley Coloring Contest: CLICK HERE to receive your coloring contest entry. Submissions will be accepted at games on Saturday, December 9 against Iona (Star Wars Day), and Sunday, December 17 against Bucknell (Bring Your Daughter Day). Presenting your submission to the ticketing table gives you a free ticket to that day's game. All entries will be voted upon and winners will be announced at the December 28 game against Hartford at 1 p.m. Prizes include a Rams prize pack.
 
Take A Kid to a Game Day: Free admission for children 12 years and younger. Our Youth Clinic will be held from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Vince Lombardi Field House for girls 8^th grade and younger and boys 6^th grade and younger.
 
Last Time Out at Penn State
The Rams started out hot, with back-to-back threes by Bre Cavanaugh and Lauren Holden, and continued to hold off the Lady Lions throughout much of Wednesday's contest, all the way until the 1:31 mark of the final period. After the two long-range makes, Mary Goulding converted two layups to give Fordham an early 10-4 lead. The Rams held as much as a nine-point lead in those opening 10 minutes, 20-11, but the hosts scored five unanswered points to cut the deficit to four at the break. The Rams had seven points off turnover and nine second-chance points in the quarter. As the two schools traded baskets over the next 10 minutes, it was Kendell Heremaia's three with 1:40 left to go followed by a trey from Holden to help take a six-point lead into halftime, 34-28. Fordham kept its foot on the gas and carried a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter, 49-42, and, after an early Heremaia three and a Cavanaugh jumper, Fordham had its largest lead of the night, 54-44, with 7:48 to play. Penn State took a timeout with exactly six minutes to play and its comeback began thereafter, with the backcourt duo of Page and Carter combining for a 14-3 run over Fordham. Page scored five quick unanswered points before Holden canned a three to push the lead back to eight, but the Lady Lions missed just one of their next six shots while blowing past the Rams with 11 unanswered points to take a 60-57 lead with 48 seconds remaining. That number crept up to 14 eventually until Goulding's last-second three cemented the final score of 65-60.
 
Both G'mrice Davis and Goulding tallied double-doubles, while Cavanaugh, Heremaia, and Holden each finished with double-digit scoring. The game was the first all season with more assists (15) than turnovers (14), and the Rams crushed the Lady Lions on the glass, 39-23, including a 23-3 margin on the offensive side. In fact, of Goulding's 10 rebounds, nine came on the offensive glass. Fordham shot 20-of-46 through the first three quarters (43.5%) but just 4-of-22 in the final period.
 
Series History vs. Iona
Fordham currently holds a 24-20 all-time series advantage against its local rival Gaels, dating back to 1973, when the Rams defeated Iona, 25-18, in the Bronx. The Gaels have held serve over the last 10 contests, though, winning eight, including both contests during the Stephanie Gaitley era. In 2014, Iona downed Fordham, 72-51, in the Bronx, and again last year in New Rochelle, 55-46. Last year, Davis went for 12 points and 14 rebounds, while Holden chipped in 11 points and three assists. In 2014, both Davis and Asnate Fomina struggled for a combined seven points.
 
Davis Scores 1,000th Point
G'mrice Davis entered her senior campaign with 970 career points scored and knowing it wouldn't be long to become the 20th Ram to ever accomplish the feat of scoring 1,000 career points in maroon and white. After scoring 28 combined points in her first two games, she was able to reach 1,000 quickly at Albany. The Philadelphia native has since scored 45 points over her last three contests and now sits on 1,060 career points, having just passed Carol Elser ('86) and Stacey Paukovitz ('93) to reach 18th all-time, and is now two back of former teammate Erin Rooney ('14).
 
Cavanaugh Named A-10 Rookie of the Week
Redshirt freshman Bre Cavanaugh was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week on Monday afternoon after two standout performances last week. The Allamuchy, N.J. native set two new career-highs in scoring when she scored 16 points at Manhattan and then a team-high 21 points against Pittsburgh.
 
Sixth-Ranked Defense
Fordham comes into the weekend allowing the sixth-fewest points per game in the country, allowing just 51.6 points to opponents, after allowing its first 60-point game by an opponent on Wednesday, and now sitting above 50 points per game allowed. The Rams sit atop the Atlantic 10, as they did a year ago, and are behind just Central Arkansas, Green Bay, North Texas, Clemson, and Middle Tennessee State, and ahead of Villanova, as the only programs to allow 52 or fewer points per contest. Last year, the Rams held opponents to 56.2 points per contest, ranked 19th by season's end.
 
Davis as Division I's Top Rebounder
G'mrice Davis, the nation's returning leading rebounder, hasn't missed a beat, leading all of Division I with 14.5 rebounds per game and 11.0 defensive boards per contest. The senior forward missed Sunday's contest but her six straight double-doubles rank eighth in the country and her 87 total rebounds rank 29th.
 
National Ranks
It's never too early to cast an eye towards the Division I national statistics. Davis is once again doing her thing on the glass, but the Rams rank highly in several other team and individual categories, as well. Coming into the contest against Northern Colorado, junior guard Lauren Holden led the nation in minutes per game, at an unsustainable clip of 41.3 minutes per game, longer than the actual 40 minutes of regulation. Since, after playing just 33 minutes against Northern Colorado due to foul trouble, she has rattled off three straight 40-minute shifts for the Rams, and ranks third in the country with 39.6 minutes per game. Redshirt freshman Bre Cavanaugh has made a big impact in the Fordham starting lineup and has been asked to log heavy minutes, averaging 38.1 per contest, which ranks 11th overall. Cavanaugh's been deadly from the free throw line thus far, as well, converting on 89.3% of her attempts, which ranks 35th in DI.
 
As a team, the Gaitley-led Rams continue to be a top-tier defensive squad, currently ranked sixth overall with just 51.6 points allowed per game. Part of that is the team's success guarding the perimeter, with opponents' hitting just 23.8% of their three-point attempts, ranked 19th in the country and first in the A-10. Opposing teams are also hitting just 36.6% of all shots, too, which ranks 83rd and fifth, respectively, which is down from 30th and second, respectively, after Penn State shot 55.8% from the floor on Wednesday.
 
Fordham's 74.7% team conversion rate at the free throw line has the team ranked 40th in the country and third in the conference, while the squad has really committed to minimizing fouls in the early going, with just 14.1 per game and 99 total, ranked 18th and 10th, respectively, overall and tops the league standings. The Davis and Goulding-inspired attack on the glass has the Rams with a rebounding margin of +8.7, ranked 41st overall.
 
Defense, Defense, Defense
A staple of the Gaitley-led Rams is defense, and no stat better represents that than Fordham's 52-5 record when holding opponents under 50 points during her tenure. Last January, Saint Joseph's defeated the Rams, 47-44, at Hagan Arena in Philadelphia, ending a streak of 38 consecutive contests with such victories. The last time before that loss, coincidentally, was also against the Hawks, in the 2013 A-10 Championship game at the Barclays Center, 47-46. Fordham was 10-1 last year when holding opponents under 50 points and are 3-0 this season.
 
Since Gaitley took over before the 2011-12 season, the Rams have ranked within the top-50 in all six seasons, and within the top-20 at the conclusion of half of them, in scoring defense. The highest a Gaitley-coached defense has finished was 12th during the conference championship-winning 2013-14 campaign, holding opponents at 56.3 points per game, while the 2012-13 squad held opponents to just 52.4 points per game, ranked 16th nationally. Last year, Fordham held opponents to 56.2 points per game and was ranked 19th in the country at season's end. This season, the Rams are 3-0 in such games, holding UMBC, Northern Colorado, and Manhattan all to under 48 points, and rank fourth with 48.2 points allowed per contest.
 
Offensive Glass
Fordham grabbed an astounding 23 offensive rebounds at Penn State on Wednesday night, compared to 16 on the defensive end, which was 20 more than the Lady Lions' three by night's end. Mary Goulding grabbed nine of her 10 rebounds on offensive possessions, while G'mrice Davis split her 14 boards evenly on either side. Both Cavanaugh and Heremaia each grabbed two, and Holden had one. For the season, of the Rams' 274 rebounds, 95 have come on the offensive glass, or more than one third of the time (34.7%). For the season, both Goulding and Holden have more offensive rebounds than defensive, while Goulding ties Davis for the team lead with 19. Johanna Klug also has an even 13 boards on both ends. Seven players have at least five offensive boards this year.
 
Opponents Scoring <>
The Rams, all-time, since the move from the AIAW to the NCAA in 1983, have held opponents under 40 points 18 times, all coming in 1990 and beyond. Under Stephanie Gaitley, that number is seven, with Northern Colorado's output of 33 points being the latest. The Bears came into that contest averaging 69 points per contest over five game. Their 33 points were the third-lowest by a Fordham opponent all-time.
 
Got a Minute?
Junior tri-captain Lauren Holden sits third in all of Division I in minutes played, currently at 39.6 per game and has completed the full 40 minutes in three straight contests, four total, and all 45 minutes in an overtime loss at Albany. A starter since midway through her freshman season, Holden passed the 2,000-minute mark against Northern Colorado and is fast approaching the all-time top-20. Bre Cavanaugh's 38.1 minutes per contest ranks 11th overall, while G'mrice Davis' 36.8 minutes rank 34th.
 
Fourth Quarter Rallies
In Fordham's two losses this season, the Rams have faced double-digit deficits but made furious charges in the final period of action to get close or take the lead. At Boston College, the Eagles led by 12 with 3:23 left in regulation. Fordham responded, however, and rattled off an impressive 10-1 run down to the final 20 seconds where the Eagles were able to hit both of their free throws and solidify the victory. At Albany, the Rams entered the fourth quarter trailing by 11. Fordham had shown flashes in the third quarter, outscoring Albany, 12-11, but was still unable to make up the necessary ground. The Great Danes began the fourth with a short 4-2 run to lead by 13, but after that last basket, it was all Fordham. The Rams rampaged to a one-point lead with 20 seconds to play, capping a 15-1 run, with G'mrice Davis scoring 11 of those points. Unfortunately for Fordham, the Great Danes would tie things up and go on to win in overtime.
 
Slow Starts, Strong Finishes
Through seven games this season, the Rams are being outscored by their opponents, 165-164, in first halves. Early in the season, the Rams struggled to get going in first halves but have begun to start better. Where Fordham has really come alive is in second halves, particulary third quarters. Thanks to a 19-5 outburst against Northern Colorado and 20-10 at Manhattan, the Rams are now outscoring opponents 103-81 in third periods, and 105-103 in fourth quarters, which had been better until Penn State outscored the Rams, 23-11, over the final 10 minutes on Wednesday. It was the first time this year that Fordham had lost following a late lead.
 
Davis Racks Up Preseason Honors
As mentioned, Davis' breakout junior season saw her earn First Team All-Conference and All-Defensive honors, and it was announced at A-10 Media Day that the league's coaches have predicted her to do so again as a senior. Davis was also recently selected as one of 20 players in Division I women's basketball for the inaugural Katrina McClain Award watch list, to be given out to the country's top power forward, starting this season.
 
Fordham Picked to Finish Fifth in Preseason Poll
Likewise, the league's coaches also predicted an identical fifth-place finish for Fordham in the preseason poll. Dayton, last year's champions, garnered eight first-place votes for a total of 182 points, just ahead of Saint Louis, who tallied 174 points and three first-place votes, and Saint Joseph's, with 170 points and the final three first-place votes. Duquesne, with 160 points, rounds out the top five in a predicted fourth-place finish. George Washington (116), La Salle (114), George Mason (79), Richmond (78), and Massachusetts (73) filled out spots 6-10, followed by VCU (56), St. Bonaventure (50), Rhode Island (46), and Davidson (22).
 
Five Fordham Debuts
Five freshmen made their debuts against UMBC, the most since 2011. Three of those freshmen started the contest, the most in the last 15 years. Joey Klug's 13 points were the most by a freshman in her debut since Hannah Missry scored 14 in 2013. Klug became the first freshman to record both a block and a steal in her debut over the last 15 years, as well, and the first to record at least one block since Samantha Clark had two in her 2012 debut. Cavanaugh's 39 minutes were the most by a freshman making her debut since Megan Mahoney played all 40 minutes in 2007.
 
Gaitley Makes History
Stephanie Gaitley reached 100 wins with the Fordham program against Little Rock on November 19, 2016, and later won her 116th contest at home against Massachusetts, 74-43, in February, passing Kathy Mosolino ('74-'80) for the most wins in program history. Gaitley tied and passed the milestone with two typical Gaitley-inspired performances, with three-pointers and excellent defense, holding both opponents below 50 points. Entering the 2017-18 season, Gaitley had 120 wins across six seasons in the Bronx, an average of over 20 per campaign. Her 124 total wins are the second-most of any of Gaitley's stops in her 32-year career as a head coach, ahead of her 116 wins at Richmond (1985-91) but a ways away from her 10-year stint at Saint Joseph's (1991-2001), in which she racked up 196 wins. Gaitley has a career 588-348 record and has the second-most overall wins among active A-10 coaches, behind Saint Louis' Lisa Stone, and has the second-most wins by any Atlantic 10 coach, with 168 between Fordham and Saint Joseph's, but is 72 behind Joe McKeown's record of 240 that he accumulated during his 17 years with George Washington from 1989 to 2008.
 
This Is Our House
Fordham finished its 2016-17 campaign with a 16-3 at home, as opposed to a 5-7 record on the road and 1-2 at neutral sites. They were also 7-1 during home conference contests for the second year in a row. Since Gaitley took over before the 2011-12 season, the Rams hold a 74-24 (75.3%) record at home. They are 3-0 thus far this season in the Bronx. On the flip side, including this year's 1-2 start, Gaitley's Rams are 50-54 (48.1%) on the road or on neutral ground.
 
November Rams
Under Coach Gaitley, Fordham is 26-15 during the month of November, and 4-3 in season openers. This season they were 3-2.
 
Career Numbers Watch
- G'mrice Davis is 40 points away from 1,100
- G'mrice Davis is 43 rebounds away from 900
- G'mrice Davis is eight assists away from 100
- G'mrice Davis is five steals away from 100
- G'mrice Davis is one appearance away from 100
- G'mrice Davis is five starts away from 75
- Asnate Fomina is two assists away from 150
- Asnate Fomina is 10 steals away from 50
- Asnate Fomina is 13 appearances away from 100
- Lauren Holden is 18 field goals away from 200
- Lauren Holden is three three's away from 100
- Lauren Holden is four appearances from 75
 
Up Next
The Rams travel to Queens next Tuesday night looking for revenge of last year's loss in the Bronx, taking on St. John's at 7 p.m.