NEW YORK – Set for the first of 18-scheduled Atlantic 10 games this season, Fordham University women's basketball opens conference play Sunday afternoon at UMass.
Turn Up and Tune In
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The Rams and Minutewomen will square off at 1:00 p.m. with the game airing live on ESPN+.
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WFUV joins the Rams in Amherst for the radio feed on YouTube Live with Tucker Austin and Joe Henry calling the action.
Rams at a Glance
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After winning four straight games heading out to the West Coast, the Rams (6-5) dropped back-to-back games at the Raising the B.A.R. Invitational last weekend, hosted by Cal, falling to the No. 24 Bears and Xavier.
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Posting consecutive losses for just the first time this season, the Rams went 11 games without allowing 70 points to open the season, and held seven of those teams below 60 points.
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Fordham hasn't allowed more than 56 points scored in any of their six wins on the year, holding LIU to a season-low 43 points on Dec. 8.
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Taylor Donaldson dropped 24 points in back-to-back games in The Golden State, bringing her to an average of 17.8 points per game on the season, the second-best average of any player in the conference and 63rd best in the country.
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Donaldson enters the weekend 12 in the nation in three pointers made per game at 3.11 and 70th in the nation with 28 total made treys. Donaldson also sits 39th in the nation in steals per game at 2.67.
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Irene Murua averaged 10.5 rebounds at the Raising the B.A.R. Invitational and is coming off her second double-double of the season after dropping 17 points and 12 rebounds, all on the offensive end. That offensive rebound total was the most by a Ram since 11 offensive boards by Kyshawn Ruff against Xavier on Feb. 2, 2003.
Leading the Herd
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One of the top players in the A-10 once again this season, Donaldson also leads the league in three pointers made per game (3.11), ranks 10th in three point percentage (34.1), and fourth in steals per game (2.67).
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With the third most shot attempts of any Fordham player Irene Murua has shot an efficient 57.8 from the field, sinking 48-of-83 shots from the floor, to lead the team in addition to her 6.5 rebounds per game.
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Kaila Berry and Karissa Antoine have combined to average 7.8 rebounds per game with 4.0 and 3.8 per game respectively, while seven different Rams are averaging at least 3.0 rebounds per game.
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Taya Davis is dishing out 4.1 assists per game, the sixth best average of any A-10 player, placing 109th in the nation individually.
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Chae Harris has been consistent whether in the starting five or coming off the bench, making six starts while averaging 8.1 points per game and 2.4 rebounds per game.
Stack 'em Up
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Fordham has crashed the glass on both ends of the floor, but on the offensive end have pulled down 14.7 rebounds per game, third best in the A-10 and 33rd best in the nation.
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The Fordham defense also ranks 72nd in the nation in rebounding margin at +5.6 and 74th in scoring defense, allowing just 58.2 points per game to opponents.
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Sitting 67th in the nation in turnovers forced per game, the Rams are 4th in the league forcing 19.64 per game, helped in part by also averaging 9.6 steals per game, 92nd best in the nation and fifth best in the A-10.
Matchup History
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Through 50 meetings between the two sides, UMass holds a slim 27-23 edge in the all-time series, helped in part by a six-game win streak from Jan. 2021-Feb. 2023.
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The Rams snapped that streak the last time the two sides met, less than a year ago on Feb. 10 in The Bronx, with the Rams taking a 64-50 win, the second in a six game win streak at the end of the regular season.
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Sunday could mark the last conference meeting with the Minutewomen, with UMass set to depart the Atlantic 10 at the end of the 2024-25 academic year for the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
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The Rams have allowed 70 or more points just once this season and against UMass since 2001, the Rams have held the Minutewomen below 70 points in 31 of the last 34 meetings.
What to Make of the Minutewomen
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At 5-6 on the season, the Minutewomen are coming off a 53-33 win over UMass Lowell on Dec. 20 to wrap non-conference play.
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With three players averaging double-figures on the season, Megan Olbrys leads UMass averaging just shy of a double-double 13.7 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 58.5% from the field.
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Allie Palmieri and Yahmani McKayle are averaging 12.9 and 12.7 points per game, respectively, with the entire trio shooting better than 75% from the free throw line.
Recapping the Raising the B.A.R. Invitational
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A strong showing last Saturday saw the Rams battle one of the nation's top teams for much of the way, but were outlasted 69-53 at No. 24 Cal Saturday to open the Raising the B.A.R. Invitational.
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Taylor Donaldson tallied 24 points to lead the Fordham offense on the night along with three steals, tied with Emma Wilson-Saltos for the team high in that category.
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Cutting the deficit to just four points with under a minute to play Sunday, the Rams fell to Xavier, 71-62.
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Despite the loss, the Rams found themselves very much in the game throughout, leading by two halftime before battling back from down double digits in the fourth quarter, forcing Xavier to knock down a number of free throws late in the game.
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For the second night in a row Taylor Donaldson dropped 24 points, once again leading the offense, along with nine rebounds and five steals, the second time this season she's collected five or more steals.
Next Stop
