NEW YORK – An end-to-end battle Saturday afternoon saw the Rams pull ahead in the closing seconds to lift Fordham University women's basketball to a 51-49 win over St. Bonaventure.
The Rams improve to 6-2 in Atlantic 10 play and 12-7 overall on the year, winning their sixth game in the last seven outings, as well as their eighth in a row within the friendly confines of the Rose Hill Gym.
Taylor Donaldson and Irene Murua stole the show, combining for 37 of the Rams' 51 points Saturday afternoon, with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Murua led the way on the glass as well, tied with Karissa Antoine for the team high with eight rebounds apiece, with Taya Davis adding an additional five boards, along with nine points. Murua and Donaldson owned the first half for the Maroon and White, recording 21 of the Rams' 23 first half points.
Opening the game with a slim lead, St. Bonaventure held a 12-8 at the media break in the first quarter, and maintained a six-point cushion to the end of the period to lead 17-11.
A slow start in the second saw the sides tally just one made basket apiece through the halfway point of the quarter, with the next points for either side coming on a Donaldson layup with 3:51 to play in the half. The Rams drew level just over a minute later at 19-all, before the Bonnies pulled back ahead just before the horn to carry a 24-23 lead at the half.
Both sides tallied a make on their respective first possessions out of the locker room, and the close play continued from the first half, with the teams level at 32 apiece, 5:29 into the third quarter. The scoring picked up as the quarter came to a close, but neither side backed down, with the Bonnies leading 41-40 heading to the fourth quarter.
Staying neck-and-neck down the stretch, Donaldson drained back-to-back shots in the paint with just under two minutes to play. Her pair of makes tied the score, before giving the Rams a 49-47 lead that was extended to a three-point advantage on a Murua free throw a short while later. Donaldson sank one final free throw with 27.4 remaining to seal the victory Saturday afternoon.
The Rams are back in action Wednesday, wrapping a three-game homestand with the Battle of the Rams against Rhode Island at 6:30 p.m. at the Rose Hill Gym.
