Davidson, N.C. – The last time the Fordham women's basketball team fell to a conference foe it was to today's opponent in the Bronx back on January 27 of last year. The Wildcats snapped the Rams' nine-game win streak and 13-game stretch against Atlantic 10 rivals with today's 74-62 result on the road. With the loss, their first in nine contests, the Rams fall to 9-6 overall and 1-1 in Atlantic 10 play, while Davidson improves to 9-6 and 2-0, respectively.
"Give all the credit to Davidson," Head Coach
Stephanie Gaitley said, "Great crowd for Kids Day and they just beat us. We need to learn how to play in tough environments. We will use this as an opportunity to grow and get better."
It was an off day for the Rams on Wednesday, allowing a season-high 74 points to the hosts and converting just 3-of-16 three-point attempts, a season-low and snapping a streak of five straight games with double-digit makes from long range. Davidson also enjoyed 21 points from second-chance opportunities. Fordham had not trailed by eight or more points since its win over Lehigh in the second game of the Bahamas Hoopfest back on November 30.
The Rams fell into an early hole, shooting just 3-of-13 over the opening 10 minutes with 0-of-2 shooting from behind the arc and 3-of-6 from the free-throw line as Davidson shot just 33.3% but took a 16-7 lead after the opening quarter. The Wildcats were more efficient in the second, hitting half of their 12 attempts and all three free-throw attempts, and held a 33-23 advantage at the intermission. Fordham would get the deficit to single digits several times the rest of the way but Davidson consistently answered and never led its lead drop below seven.
Anna DeWolfe and
Bre Cavanaugh, who combined for 29 out of Fordham's 39 second-half points, combined for a quick 4-0 strike midway through the third period to force Davidson into its first timeout of the contest, and Katie Turner responded with a three out of the break. The Rams shot 53.3% from the floor in the third but the Wildcats kept distance by converting 41.2% of their own shots.
A three-point play by Cavanaugh got the visitors within eight, 52-44, on the fourth quarter's first possession but Adelaide Fuller responded with a layup on the other end, the first of her four buckets down the stretch for the hosts. The Wildcats led by double digits the rest of the way.
Cavanaugh led all players with 21 points, hitting 9-of-17 from the field with eight rebounds and an assist over 38 minutes. During the game, she ascended to sixth all-time in career scoring, passing Nicole Williams ('92), with 1,427 career points. She will enter the top-five and pass Suzanne Maguire with 49 more points. She also passed former teammate
G'mrice Davis for career free throws, up to fourth with 320. DeWolfe was efficient again, converting 7-of-15 attempts while playing all 40 minutes for the second time this year.
Kendell Heremaia notched her second straight double-double and third in the last four contests, with 14 points and 11 rebounds, adding a team-high three steals and a block over 33 minutes.
Kaitlyn Downey chipped in 11 points, four boards, two assists, and a steal over 28 minutes, while
Sarah Karpell handed out a team-high three assists.
Despite the result, the Rams outshot the Wildcats, 42.9% to 42.2%, and committed less turnovers, a season-low eight to Davidson's 10. The Wildcats won the rebounding battle, though, 42-32, with a 10-5 advantage on the offensive glass, and hit 14-of-16 free-throw attempts on the day, while the Rams hit just 5-of-10. It was just the third time this year Fordham handed out single-digit assists, as well, with a season-low six.
Fordham returns to action in the Bronx this Sunday, January 12, at 2 p.m. against George Washington. It's the Rams' first nationally televised contest of the year, with CBS Sports Network carrying live coverage.
