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South Bend, Ind. – Outside of a 16-2 run late in the first period, Fordham and Notre Dame were neck and neck the entire game. Until the hosts found themselves in the bonus and getting to the line in the waning minutes, the Rams were even ahead against their opponents since the start of the second period. Still, in the end, Fordham fell, 71-56. With the loss, their first, the Rams fall to 2-1, while the Irish improve to 4-0.
"I'm super proud of our team for fighting back after getting down early." Head coach
Stephanie Gaitley said, "We played even for three quarters and we will build off of that!"
Kaitlyn Downey scored 13 of her team-high 15 points in the second half, a big part of the Rams' late charge, while
Asiah Dingle (14) and
Anna DeWolfe (10) also finished in double figures. Dingle led the squad in rebounds, with six, assists, three, and steals, with four, her third straight game with at least four thefts to begin her Fordham career.
Kendell Heremaia canned the game's first basket, an unassisted mid-range jumper, and the Rams led for the opening four minutes. It was Heremaia again, this time tying the game back up, 7-7, with a layup from Dingle. From that point on, it was all Fighting Irish to finish the period, using that 16-2 run to lead, 23-9, at the end of the opening frame. Fordham's lone points came via a
Maranda Nyborg jumper.
The Rams continued to battle and matched Notre Dame's 19 second-quarter points, shooting 47.4% from the floor with seven different players contributing at least two points. Faced with another 20-point deficit late in the third quarter, Fordham responded with another rally, closing the third with six unanswered points between DeWolfe and Dingle to maintain that 14-point disadvantage.
That run extended to 13 unanswered to begin the fourth when Downey went back-to-back from distance to get back within single digits and Dingle made it a seven-point game with a driving layup, 54-47. However, the Rams found themselves playing with five fouls soon after and the Irish used a plethora of free throws to take the fourth quarter, 17-16, and the game, finishing the game on a 17-9 run, with nine points coming at the line.
The Irish shot 59.3% from the field in the first half but were held to just 8-of-22 shooting in the second (36.4%). Fordham shot 34.3% overall, including a 4-of-21 mark from distance. Both teams grabbed 11 offensive rebounds, though the hosts hauled in 20 more defensive boards. Notre Dame committed 20 turnovers on the night, while the Rams had just 12.
The Rams will now turn their sights to Sunday and a clash with RV/RV Michigan State at home. Tip-off from the Rose Hill Gymnasium is set for 2 p.m.
