BRONX, N.Y. – One of the high scoring games in program history, Fordham University women's basketball fell to La Salle in a shootout, 93-83 Saturday at the Rose Hill Gym.
The Rams and Explorers combined for 176 points on the day, the most combined points in a Fordham women's basketball game since Jan. 4, 1997, a 94-82 loss in overtime at St. Bonaventure. Saturday's game also saw the most combined points in a regulation game since Mar. 1, 1991, a 103-75 win over Bucknell in the Patriot League tournament.
The high scoring affair saw the two teams attempt a combined 122 field goals, with 62 of those coming from beyond the arc. The Rams would out rebound the Explorers 39-28 overall, including an impressive 18-to-7 advantage on the offensive glass.
Fordham as a team shot 43.9% from the floor, and 38.5% from three point range on the night, as Taylor Donaldson led the way on senior day with 26 points and nine rebounds, along with three steals and two assists.
One of three Rams in double figures Saturday, Matilda Flood would finish with 13 points and a trio of assists, while shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Emy Hayford would round out the trio of double-digit scorers with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting, alongside three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
A hot start for the visitors, La Salle would tally seven makes in the opening frame with five of those being three pointers. The Rams however would make the most of their opportunities on the glass, out-rebounding the Explorers 12-4 in the first 10 minutes of play, and 6-0 on the offensive side.
Continuing to push the tempo in the second quarter, La Salle would cool off slightly, but would hold a double digit lead at the break after outscoring the Rams by seven in the second. The Explorers would push their biggest lead of the night with a 20 point lead just before the end of the third, which the Rams quickly cut down with a pair of makes as quarter came to an end.
Despite trailing by 16 with 7:46 to play, Fordham would find themselves within two scores less than three minutes later, pushing a 14-3 run to cut the La Salle lead down to five. That would be as close as the Rams would get however, as the Explorers sunk a handful of late free throws to pull away for the win.
Fordham will now head to Virginia. for the 2024 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship at the Henrico Sports and Events Center in Glen Allen, Va. The Rams have earned the No. 9 seed in the championship and will take on No. 8 Loyola Chicago Thursday afternoon at 11:00 a.m.
