BRONX, N.Y. - Looking to make it three in a row at home to open the 2023-24 season Fordham University women's basketball returns to the Rose Hill Gym Thursday night to host Manhattan in the annual Battle of the Bronx. Looking to defend their record in the all-time series, tip-off against the Jaspers is slated for 7:00 p.m. live on SNY and ESPN+, with Grant DelVecchio and Andrew Posadas on the call of the action.
Give Back, Get Back
Students should make their way to the Rose Hill Gym early to secure their spot for free Chick Fil A, presented to the first 100 students who bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Rams' annual food drive, this season supporting POTS. Marking the first of two games collecting donations, Fordham women's basketball will continue their food drive through the end of Monday's game against Georgian Court, the Rams' final game ahead of Thanksgiving.
Week One Done
Returning to the Five Boroughs after their first road trip of the season, Fordham is coming off the first loss of the campaign at ACC powerhouse Miami Sunday afternoon. With 13 points and five rebounds, Taylor Donaldson led the way for the Rams as she scored in double figures for the third straight game to open her Fordham career. Prior to that, it was back-to-back wins to open the campaign as the Rams rang in the new season with a win over Adelphi Monday, before a thrilling three-point win over UAlbany on Friday.
Clicking the Guide Button
In addition the A-10 deal with ESPN will see the full slate of 18 Fordham home games broadcast on the ESPN family of networks, the 2023-24 Rams will have 10 total games broadcast on regional sports networks. Friday's Battle of the Bronx will serve as the first of six broadcasts for Fordham women's basketball on Sportsnet New York (SNY), with two of those dates coming later in conference play. The Rams will also play four games on a network familiar to Bronx sports fans, with the YES (Yankees Entertainment & Sports) Network hosting four games, two in non-conference play and a pair of A-10 dates in late January. Fordham will also take on Davidson on National television Jan. 14, 2024 when the Rams and Wildcats square off from the Rose Hill Gym on CBS Sports Network.
Flipping Through the Record Book
Fordham and Manhattan have battled for bragging rights in women's basketball since the 2001 season, and over that stretch have played each other once a calendar year since 2003, with the exception of the pandemic year in 2020. In 20 prior meetings, the Rams boast a 15-5 edge in the all-time series against the Jaspers, and have won the last 11 matchups in the "Battle of the Bronx" dating back to the second of consecutive wins by Manhattan in 2009 and 2010.
10-point TD
It may be November but we're not talking touchdowns. Through the first three games of the season, senior guard Taylor Donaldson has tallied 10 or more points, highlighted by 14 in the win over UAlbany. Tallying 12 points in the season opener against Adelphi, Donaldson tallied 13 on the road at Miami last time out.
What to Make of Manhattan
With two games in the books to open the season, Manhattan opened the season with a 17-point victory over Central Connecticut State, before a six point loss to the Atlantic 10's George Washington last time out on Friday. Pacing the Jaspers through the first two games Nitzan Amar tallied 19 points, while sitting second on the team as one of three players with 10 rebounds in the pair of games.
Making a House a Home
The 2023-24 calendar starts with a litany of home games for the Rams, who will play seven of their first eight games in the friendly confines of the Rose Hill Gym. With the lone trip out of The Bronx coming last weekend with a visit to Miami, Fordham will play five straight games at home from Nov. 16 to Dec. 2. That stretch will begin with the annual "Battle of the Bronx" when the Rams host Manhattan, the first of six games broadcast on SNY this season. Taking on Georgian Court just before thanksgiving, Fordham takes on UMass Lowell Nov. 25, followed by matchups with Saint Peter's and Maine the following week.
Next Stop
Continuing a stretch of five straight games at home, Fordham women's basketball is back in action Monday, Nov. 20 for Fansgiving at the Rose Hill Gym against Georgian Court. Tipping off at 7:00 p.m. as the first of four games for the Rams on the YES Network, Fansgiving tickets are free for faculty and staff, who are invited to hang out after work and catch a game before the holiday break. Fordham will also be collecting non-perishable food items to donate to POTS.
