BRONX, N.Y. – With 13 points in the first half, the chance at a highlight day was very much in reach, and Fordham University women's basketball's Taylor Donaldson did just that as she tallied a career-high 35 points to help the Rams defeat Saint Peter's, 80-46 Tuesday night.
A thrilling performance by the transfer from New Mexico State saw her shatter her previous career mark of 25 her sophomore year with the Aggies. She would drain a total of seven three pointers on 12 attempts, and shot 63% from the field on the night along with nine rebounds. Donaldson's 35 ties the most points by a Fordham player since the 2018 season, with the all-time record being 40 points set in 1987.
Elsewhere for the Rams, Rose Nelson tallied 12 points as the only other Ram in double figures, to go along with three rebounds and a pair of blocks. Matilda Flood would help lead the rebounding numbers with eight and led the team with three steals, as the Rams picked 12 as a team, the sixth time in the first seven games with 10 or more steals.
As a team, Fordham dominated on all ends of the floor, out-rebounding Saint Peter's 43-25, and tallied 30 more points in the paint than their opponents. Firing on all cylinders the Rams also shot 52% both from the field and from beyond the arc, sinking 10-of-19 threes in the game, and for the third consecutive game tallied at least 17 assists.
Tallying a trio of baskets in quick succession to open the night, the Rams made it a slick 6-0 start to the game with a strong play in transition, forcing an early timeout. Saint Peter's would tack on their first two baskets from there, before another and-one opportunity for the home team. Fordham would capitalize on a pair of late makes to pull away slightly and hold a four point lead after one quarter of play.
Another hot start by the Rams saw the Peacocks once again call a timeout early in the frame, before countering with five points of their own. The visitors would cut their deficit to as little as four, but strong play by Fordham kept Saint Peter's at bay, before the Rams ended the quarter with the last three made baskets from the field.
A dominant third quarter saw Fordham tally 26 points while holding Saint Peter's to just 11 in the period, pulling away to a 58-33 lead as the fourth quarter began.
Donaldson would light it up late in that quarter, surpassing her career high of 25 points from New Mexico State with 27 in the first three quarters Tuesday night. She sank a trio of three pointers in the final 2:44 of the frame along with an additional two point bucket, as she scored the Rams' final 11 points in the third.
Continuing to fire on the offensive front, Fordham would put up another 22 points in the final 10 minutes, totaling just shy of 50 points in the second half alone.
The Rams will close their long early season homestand Saturday afternoon when Maine comes down to the Five Boroughs for a 2:00 p.m. tilt.
