NEW YORK – The visitors pulled out front early and never looked back Wednesday night, as Fordham University women's basketball fell to Rhode Island 53-35 at the Rose Hill Gym.
After allowing 21 points in the opening frame, Fordham limited the Kingston Rams to just 32 points the rest of the way, including just eight in the final ten minutes of action. Wednesday also marked the 12th time this season the Rams have held a team below 60 points through the first 20 games of the campaign.
Fordham falls to 6-3 in A-10 action, 12-8 overall on the year, while Rhode Island improves to 11-11, and 6-3 in the league. Chae Harris led the way for the second time this season, finishing with 12 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals, followed by eight points from Taylor Donaldson and six from both Irene Murua and Taya Davis.
Dominating out of the gates, Rhode Island opened the game on a 19-2 run, though Fordham tallied seven of the final nine points in the opening frame to cut into the lead heading to the second quarter. The Rams' defense turned it on to start the second, forcing four turnovers in the first 1:45 of the period, forcing Rhode Island into an early timeout.
An extended scoring drought from their saw neither side tally a make for over four minutes, with Fordham keeping Rhody off the board for more than five before a made jumper with 3:50 to play in the half finally broke the scoreless streak. The two combined for just 16 points in the frame, with Rhode Island holding a 31-15 lead at the break.
Opening the third with eight unanswered points, the visiting Rams continued to add to their lead, before Fordham cut back into it as the fourth quarter approached. Scoring nine of the first 11 points to start the final stanza, the Maroon and White cut into the deficit, but were unable to battle back, falling for just the second time this season at home.
The Rams hit the road for the first time since Jan. 15, heading to Missouri for a meeting with Saint Louis Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. EST.
