Gallery: (1-17-2021) Men's Basketball vs. Massachusetts
Bronx, N.Y. – Betty White, who is celebrating her 99th birthday today, once appeared in a show called Betty White's Off Their Rockers in which the elderly play pranks on members of the younger generation. At times in the first half of today's game the Fordham University men's basketball squad must have felt like the University of Massachusetts was playing a prank on them. The Minutemen couldn't seem to miss a shot, especially from behind the arc, as the visitors built a 44-15 halftime lead en route to a 65-46 Atlantic 10 win over the Rams in the Rose Hill Gym.
With the loss, Fordham falls to 1-5 overall, 1-5 in the Atlantic 10. While Massachusetts improves to 5-3 overall, 4-1 in the conference.
Sophomore forward
Joel Soriano led the Rams with his fourth double-double of the year, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, while sophomore guard
Chris Austin added ten points.
Massachusetts shot a blistering 64.3% (9-14) from long distance over the first 20 minutes while the Rams were held without a three-pointer in the half, shooting 26.9% (7-26) from the field.
The second half was a different story as the Rams outscored the Minutemen, 31-21, and held UMass to shooting just 7.1% (1-14) from behind the arc.
Takeaways
•
Joel Soriano has recorded a double-double in four of the six games this year and nine of his last eleven games dating back to last year.
•
Chris Austin has scored in double figures in four straight games, averaging 14.3 ppg over that span.
• Senior guard
Josh Navarro left the game with 12:41 remaining after aggravating an injury suffered in the Dayton game.
• The Rams outrebounded the Minutemen, 39-37.
• Fordham outscored UMass 28-12 in the paint.
• Massachusetts made 13 field goals in the first half, nine of those three-pointers.
By the Numbers
6 – Offensive rebounds by
Joel Soriano, who entered the game leading the Atlantic 10 in offensive rebounding (4.2/game).
7 – Points for junior guard
Ty Perry, tying his season high.
15 – First half points for Fordham, a season low.
21 – Second half points for UMass, a season low for a Fordham opponent.
39 – Rebounds by the Rams, a season high.
What's Next?
• The Rams continue their 2020-2021 Atlantic 10 season on Wednesday, January 20, as they travel to Davidson, N.C., to face the Davidson College Wildcats in Belk Arena at 1:00 p.m.
• It will be the 12th meeting between Fordham and Davidson on the hardwood.
• The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 9-2.
