PHILADELPHIA, PA. – A closely contested battle for much of Saturday afternoon saw Fordham University women's basketball fall to La Salle 64-53 on the road in Philadelphia.
Emy Hayford would lead the Rams on the offensive side with 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting, along with three rebounds, two steals, and two assists. One of three players with three steals apiece, Taylor Donaldson would add 12 points and along with Taya Davis who also had six rebounds and five assists.
Mandy McGurk rounded out that trio with three steals as well, while Maranda Nyborg completed the group of double digit scorers, on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting with 10 points. With eight points on 4-of-six shooting from the floor, Rose Nelson would tally a career high 10 rebounds as well to pace the Rams' efforts on the glass.
Strong play, particularly on the defensive end allowed Fordham to force seven turnovers in the opening frame, and shot an even 50% from the field to start, trailing by one at the end of the first.
The Rams would pour it on to start the second quarter, scoring 11 of the first 15 points as the sides headed into the media timeout in the period. La Salle would tack on a handful of points late to cut into the deficit, but a late and-one try was converted by Nyborg to give the Rams a slim lead heading into halftime, 30-29.
Close play would continue into the third quarter of action, with the two sides trading basket for basket throughout the second half. La Salle would score the final four points of the quarter with the game tied at 42 apiece, to take the lead heading into the final period of regulation.
In the fourth quarter, La Salle and Fordham would remain close early, but an extended run down the stretch by the Explorers down the stretch gave the home side an 11-point victory Saturday afternoon.
Fordham women's basketball plays the back end of a two game road trip Wednesday night with a trip to Richmond, Va. to take on VCU at 6:00 p.m.
