Richmond, Va. – The Fordham women's basketball team fell, 62-52, at VCU on Wednesday night in a rematch of last March's Atlantic 10 championship game. The host Rams surged ahead with a 23-point fourth quarter. With the loss, the Rams fall to 12-8 overall and 4-3 in conference play, while VCU improves to 12-8 and 7-0, respectively.
"Tough road loss against a very tough team," Head coach
Stephanie Gaitley said, "There's a reason they have won seven straight conference games. In order to beat the top teams, we need to put together a 40-minute game. We have to be tougher during the stretch run. Over the last two games, we have fought hard and know we can beat these teams come tournament time."
Fordham was dominant over the opening 10 minutes, limiting VCU to just on field goal and six points in a 14-6 first period. Danielle Hammond, who ended up with a game-high 23 points, scored that first basket and broke the schneid over 10 game minutes later with another layup. Fordham led to start every period but the hosts used several runs to erase large deficits and eventually take the lead late.
The visitors led, 25-21, at the half and were holding VCU to just 24.0% overall from the field. In the second half, Fordham struggled to convert chances, shooting 31.0% and missing all eight three-point attempts. The combination of Hammond, with 17, and Tera Reed, with 12, and the offense hitting 65.4% overall led to 41 second-half points.
Bre Cavanaugh led the way for Fordham with 22 points on 8-of-18 shooting, sharing the team-high with six rebounds, and a steal over all 40 minutes. It's the sixth 20-point effort through seven conference games this year.
Kendell Heremaia racked up a career-high six steals while scoring 11 points over 34 minutes.
Kaitlyn Downey, who also had six rebounds, scored 10 points and notched an assist across 29 minutes.
Anna DeWolfe scored nine, rebounded five, and dished out a game-high five assists.
Wednesday's game closes the book on January as the Rams return home to host La Salle this Saturday, February 1, at 2 p.m. ESPN+ and WFUV 90.7 FM have the call.
