Bronx, N.Y. – Behind a 17-point performance from
Lakresha Edwards and a strong defensive effort, Fordham women's basketball opened its 2026-27 season with a convincing 70-40 victory over Niagara on Monday evening at the Rose Hill Gym.
The victory marked the first as head coach of Fordham for
Neil Harrow.
The Rams (1-0) had four players score in double figures, led by Edwards, who connected on six field goals, including two three-pointers, while adding three rebounds and two assists.
Ugne Sirtautaite followed with 14 points and five rebounds, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor, while
Carryn Easley filled the stat sheet with 11 points, seven assists, four steals, and four rebounds.
Anastasija Veljovic added nine points and six rebounds off the bench, while
Precious Omoshola pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
Fordham's defense forced 23 Niagara turnovers, converting them into 29 points, while holding the Purple Eagles (0-1) to 29.1 percent shooting from the field. The Rams also dominated the interior, outscoring Niagara, 48-26, in the paint
The Story
Fordham jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter behind a balanced offensive attack. The Rams closed the quarter on a 9-0 run, engineered by
Caitlyn Martin and
Anastasija Veljovic. Fordham led 20-7 after the first frame.
The Rams continued to build their advantage in the second period, with
Ugne Sirtautaite scoring eight points in the quarter. Fordham held Niagara scoreless for more than six minutes during a 12-0 run, stretching its lead to 30-9 with 5:30 remaining. Sirtautaite later converted a second-chance layup to push the advantage to 32-9, while Edwards and Martin added baskets down the stretch. Easley capped Fordham's first-half scoring with alayup in the final 15 seconds, sending the Rams into the locker room with a 38-19 lead.
Fordham maintained control in the third quarter, holding Niagara to just eight points on 2-of-12 shooting from the field. After the Purple Eagles cut the deficit to 38-23, the Rams responded with six unanswered points, getting baskets from Edwards, Martin, and Sirtautaite.
Ella Averill and Omoshola added baskets later in the period, while Veljovic converted a three-point play to extend Fordham's lead to 51-26.
Zala Srot closed the quarter with a layup, giving the Rams a 53-27 advantage entering the final 10 minutes.
The Rams continued to pull away in the fourth quarter, opening the period with baskets from Veljovic and a free throw from Edwards to extend the lead to 56-27. Fordham closed out the victory with baskets from Omoshola, Averill, and Easley, with the latter completing a three-point play in the final minute to give the Rams their largest lead of the night at 70-39.
The Stats
- Lakresha Edwards led the scoring with 17 points. The senior was one of three Rams to score in double figures.
- Ugne Sirtautaite had a nice night down low, recording 14 points and five rebounds.
- Carryn Easley had a remarkable day, scoring 11 points, collecting seven assists, and tying a career-high with four steals.
- Precious Omoshola led the way on the glass for Fordham, picking up eight rebounds.
- Fordham shot 47.4 percent (27-of-57) from the field while limiting Niagara to 29.1 percent (16-of-55).
- The Rams out-rebounded the Purple Eagles, 34-28.
- Fordham outscored Niagara in each of the first three quarters and led for all but the opening moments of the contest.
What's Next?
The Rams will remain at home and host St. Thomas Aquinas on Thursday, November 5. Tip-off in Rose Hill Gym will come at 5 p.m.
