Box Score (pdf)
Richmond, Va. – Fordham women's basketball made it seven consecutive victories, five to begin Atlantic 10 play, with a 64-54 win at VCU on Sunday afternoon, as senior forward
G'mrice Davis notched her 1,000
th career rebound in the dying seconds, becoming the second Ram to have 1,000 career points and boards. With the win, Fordham improves to 14-4 overall and 5-0 in conference action, while VCU falls to 4-13 and 1-4, respectively.
"As a young team, we need to learn the important of staying focused and being disciplined for 40 minutes. On any given day any team can knock you off," Head coach
Stephanie Gaitley said, "I would like to acknowledge G'mrice on her incredible accomplishment of reaching 1,000 career points and now 1,000 career rebounds. She is forever a part of Fordham history."
Fordham was badly outshot in the contest, 45.5% to 34.4%, but was able to secure the victory with superior three-point shooting, 7-of-20 (35.0%) to VCU's 2-of-9 (22.2%), free-throw shooting (15-for-16), and rebounding, hauling in 39 boards as opposed to VCU's 27, including nearly half (19) on the offensive glass. The Rams also held an 18-2 advantage on second-chance points.
Redshirt freshman
Bre Cavanaugh led the team in scoring for a ninth time this season, notching 19 points on 6-of-19 shooting, while adding six boards, four assists, and two steals. Davis made it seven straight double-doubles, and 16 overall, with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Lauren Holden chipped in 13 points,
Johanna Klug matched a season-high with two blocks, and
Kendell Heremaia had a personal-best three steals in 15 minutes off the bench, plus 2-for-2 long-range shooting.
Fordham used a 10-0 run in the first quarter to lead, 14-4, but allowed VCU to storm back and tie the game, 16-16, with a 12-2 run that ended early in the second quarter. The (visiting) Rams restored their lead quickly, however, and finished the first half out with a 15-11 advantage to take a 31-27 lead at the break. They would hold that lead for the remainder of the contest. The lead ballooned to as much as 13 in the later stages of the third period, as Fordham continued its impressive run of form in the 10 minutes following halftime. The Rams held a 50-39 lead entering the final salvo but VCU got within five within the first several minutes thanks to a 13-7 run sparked by Olga Petrova and Tera Reed. The Rams were able to pad their lead, however, immediately as
Zara Jillings drilled her lone basket of the contest, a corner three, to push the lead back to eight with just 1:45 remaining in regulation. Typically sturdy free-throw shooting saw out the victory for the visitors.
The Rams enjoyed more assists (14) than turnovers (13) for the fourth time this campaign. VCU's 27 rebounds is the 10th time a Fordham opponent has been held below the 30-board threshold and is the sixth time in the team's last seven contests. The offense's 61 field goal attempts is also tied for third-most this season.
The Rams are just one win shy of matching their best-ever start to conference play, something they accomplished a season ago, as they head into Wednesday night's big meeting with Dayton. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in the Bronx.
