Men’s Basketball Festivus Miracle Comes Up Short

Bronx, N.Y. – For a few minutes late in Fordham's game against James Madison tonight it appeared that the Rams were about to pull off a Festivus miracle three days before the official holiday. Trailing by 23 at one point early in the second half, Fordham demonstrated a Feat of Strength to battle back and pull within three before falling to the Dukes, 75-69, in the Rose Hill Gym.
 
With the loss, Fordham falls to 5-6 while James Madison improves to 7-4.
 
Senior guard Erten Gazi led the Rams with a career-high 21 points, shooting 7-for-10 from the field, while sophomore guard Jalen Cobb added 17 points.
 
The Dukes led by 23 twice early in the second half, the final time at 48-25 with 15:10 remaining. Fordham chipped away at the James Madison lead, getting it to 19, 59-40, six minutes later. The Rams then went on a 22-6 run to pull within three, 65-62, on a Ty Perry three with 1:24 left but that was as close as Fordham would get.
 
Takeaways
• The Rams played without the services of sophomore forward Onyi Eyisi, who missed the game with an injury, and then lost senior guard Antwon Portley, the team's leading scorer, to an injury just over six minutes into the game.
 
• Erten Gazi was a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe after entering the game 2-for-7 on the season.
 
• The Rams outscored the Dukes, 20-8, on fast break points.
 
• Fordham was outrebounded by James Madison, 39-29.
 
• James Madison has a player aptly, for this time of year, named Christmas (Michael Christmas).
 
• The game was played a year to the day after Fordham defeated James Madison, 75-48, in the Rose Hill Gym.
 
• Former Ram Chris Gaston was at the game. Gaston is currently playing for Real Esteli of Nicaragua in the Basketball Champions League America, the highest tier FIBA league on the continent.
 
• Former Rams Jon Severe and Jesse Bunting were also at the game.
 
By the Numbers
3 – Offensive rebounds by the Rams, a season low.
 
6 – Free throws by Erten Gazi, a career-high.
 
7 – Field goals by Erten Gazi, a career-high (previous high was six vs. Manhattan earlier this year).
 
19 – First half points for the Rams, a season low.
 
21 – Points for Erten Gazi, a career-high (previous high was 16 vs. Manhattan earlier this year).
 
50 – Second half points by the Rams, the most points scored in a half this year for Fordham.
 
65.4% - Fordham's shooting percentage in the second half (17-26).
 
66.7% - Fordham's three-point shooting percentage in the second half (6-9).
 
75 – Points scored by James Madison, the most for a Fordham opponent this year.
 
What's Next?
• After some time off for the holidays, the Rams return to action on Monday, December 30, as they host the Coppin State University Eagles in the Rose Hill Gym at 7:00 p.m.
 
• It will be the second meeting between Fordham and Coppin State on the hardwood.
 
•The Rams took the first meeting, 92-55, on December 13, 2015, in the Rose Hill Gym.
 
• Fordham is 10-3 all-time against schools currently in the Mid-American Athletic Conference (MEAC), including a win over Maryland Eastern Shore earlier this year.