Men’s Basketball Falls to Saint Louis

Bronx, N.Y. – Yesterday was the start of a Chinese New Year, the Year of the Ox. However, the year didn't get off to a great start for the Fordham men's basketball squad as they ran into a red-hot Saint Louis University squad, falling to the Billikens, 68-40, in an Atlantic 10 game in the Rose Hill Gym.
 
With the loss, Fordham falls to 2-11 overall, 2-11 in the Atlantic 10, while Saint Louis improves to 10-3 overall, 3-2 in the conference.
 
Sophomore guard Chris Austin led the Rams with 14 points while grabbing four rebounds, while junior guard Jalen Cobb chipped in with nine points.
 
The Billikens jumped out to a 15-2 lead over the first 4:29 before a Cobb layup and Ty Perry three-pointer made it a 15-7 game with 14:07 left in the half. But that would be as close as Fordham would get.
 
Takeaways
• The game will part of the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight, a program developed by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) in 2008 to bring greater awareness of Jesuit education and its shared mission through the more than 80 games played by men's and women's basketball teams every season.
 
• Fordham honored Tom Konchalski, FCRH '68, with a cardboard cutout of him in the stands behind the Fordham bench. A magna cum laude graduate of Fordham College at Rose Hill, Konchalski was the preeminent high school basketball scout in New York City. He passed away from cancer on Feb. 8.

"Tom was a true Fordham man. He was a man for others. He helped countless players & coaches for decades in the NY area & throughout the country. He did it with a gentle touch, an unassuming demeanor & an ability to connect with anyone he spoke with. He will be greatly missed." pic.twitter.com/VyXCGoV6Ng

— Fordham Athletics (@FordhamRams) February 13, 2021

 
• Chris Austin recorded his eighth double-digit scoring game of the season.
 
• Fordham held Saint Louis to 10.5 points below its season scoring average.

• Sophomore Joel Soriano was limited to four points and six rebounds by foul trouble, playing just 17:40.

By the Numbers
2 - Three-pointers made by Fordham, tying a season low.

4 - Rebounds by Chris Austin, tying a season-high.

5 - Free throws made by Saint Louis, tying a season-low for a Fordham opponent.
 
What's Next?
• In a game that was added just prior to today's game, The Rams will continue their 2020-2021 Atlantic 10 season on Wednesday, February 17, as they travel to Olean, N.Y., to face the St. Bonaventure University Bonnies in the Reilly Center at 6:00 p.m.
 
• It will be the 46th meeting between Fordham and St. Bonaventure on the hardwood.
 
• The Bonnies lead the all-time series, which started in the 1955-56 season, 30-15 (two St. Bonaventure wins in 2002-03 were later forfeited for use of an ineligible player).
 
• The Bonnies have won nine straight, including the first meeting this year, 68-54, in the Rose Hill Gym on January 13.