NEW YORK – Taylor Donaldson tallied a season-high in points for the third night in a row, and the Rams shot just shy of 50% from the field, but Fordham University women's basketball fell to UMass, 78-61, Sunday afternoon in the opening game of Atlantic 10 Conference play.
Shooting an efficient 10-of-18 on the night, Donaldson sank 5-of-8 shots from beyond the arc to finish with a season-high 25 points, while also picking three steals to lead the team. Emma Wilson-Saltos surpassed 700 collegiate points, while finishing in double figures for the first time in Maroon and White with 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting and 4-of-6 from the free throw line.
Anastasija Veljovic tallied a career-best nine points in her first career start, along with three steals and four rebounds, tied with Wilson-Saltos for the second most rebounds on the night. Irene Murua led the rebounding effort with nine boards and eight points, followed by Chae Harris with seven points.
Fordham shot 46.2% as a team, and 44.4% from beyond the arc, but UMass pulled away at the free throw line, outscoring the Rams 12-5 from the charity stripe, while shooting 57% both from the field and from three point range. The Rams fall to 6-6 on the year following the opening game of non-conference play.
A high-scoring opening quarter saw two teams combine for nearly 50 points, with UMass holding the lead much of the way, and holding a 26-19 edge after just ten minutes of play.
Starting the second period on a 10-2 run, the Rams pulled ahead to take a 29-28 lead less than three minutes into the frame. The Minutewomen then flipped the table heading into the break, using a 10-3 run in the final five minutes of the half to regain a seven point advantage at halftime.
Another strong start in the third quarter saw the Rams cut the UMass lead to just two, before the Minutewomen once again pulled back ahead, taking a nine point lead with 4:11 to go in the quarter. A quick six points by Fordham brought the visitors back within one possession, but a late three gave the Minutewomen a six point lead going into the fourth.
UMass pulled away early and never looked back in the final ten minutes, limiting the Rams on the offensive end to take the win on the first full day of non-conference play.
Fordham will look to bounce back when they return home to The Bronx on Jan. 2 to ring in the New Year against Richmond at the Rose Hill Gym at 2:00 p.m.
