Fordham defeats New Haven 65-47
Fordham Edges New Haven in Homecoming Victory
The Fordham Rams welcomed their home crowd to Rose Hill Gym, where they delivered a convincing 65-47 win over visiting New Haven on Tuesday night.
In a closely contested first half, the Rams' defense proved to be too much for the Wildcats. Fordham led 29-23 at halftime, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. The home team's superior rebounding and defensive play allowed them to maintain their lead throughout the contest.
Dejour Reaves led the way for Fordham with 19 points, showcasing his ability to score efficiently from both inside and outside the paint. Rikus Schulte added 13 rebounds, nine of which came on the offensive end, as he played a crucial role in feeding the ball to teammates for easy baskets.
New Haven's Jabri Fitzpatrick struggled with his outside shot, going 0-for-3 from beyond the arc, while Stefano Faloppa led the Wildcats' rebounding effort with six boards. However, it was Fordham's team defense that ultimately proved decisive, holding New Haven to just 42.8% shooting from the field.
The Rams' balanced offense and stingy defense allowed them to build a significant lead in the second half. Fordham's Abass Bodija chipped in with three assists, while Andre Pasha provided eight points on his own. The home team's bench played a key role in extending the lead, outscoring New Haven 14-3 in the final minutes.
The win marks an important non-conference victory for Fordham, which now stands at 4-2 overall. For New Haven, the loss drops their record to 2-5 and serves as a reminder that they still have work to do to compete with top-level opponents.
Fordham's balanced performance makes them a formidable force in the Atlantic 10 Conference. With their strong home court advantage, the Rams are poised for success in the coming weeks.
In contrast, New Haven will need to regroup and refocus after this tough loss. The Wildcats' inability to find consistent shooting outside of Fitzgerald will be a major area of focus in the coming days.
Despite the margin, both teams demonstrated resilience and determination throughout the game. However, it was Fordham's well-rounded team effort that ultimately secured their hard-fought win.