Richmond defeats Fordham 75-83
Richmond Edges Fordham in Conference Showdown, 83-75
In a closely contested conference matchup, the visiting Richmond Spiders outlasted the home-standing Fordham Rams, 83-75, at Rose Hill Gym on Tuesday night.
The game's narrative thread was woven from the outset, with Richmond taking an early lead and never relinquishing it. The away team's 33 points in the first half set the tone for a back-and-forth contest that would ultimately decide who emerged victorious.
Fordham struggled to find its footing in the early going, committing several turnovers and missing crucial shots. Meanwhile, Richmond capitalized on these mistakes, using their superior shooting range to stretch the Fordham defense.
In the second half, Richmond continued to pull away, with Will Johnston leading the charge. The senior point guard racked up 20 points, including two clutch three-pointers, while also dishing out six assists and grabbing six rebounds.
Dejour Reaves paced Fordham in the defeat, scoring a game-high 19 points on 5-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. However, his efforts were ultimately insufficient to overcome Richmond's depth and cohesion.
The Rams' struggles in transition were compounded by their inability to contain Richmond's inside presence. The Spiders outscored Fordham 24-34 in the paint, with Johnston playing a key role in this area.
As the final buzzer sounded, Richmond had emerged victorious, their 8-point margin serving as a testament to their superior team play. For the Rams, it was a disappointing loss that dropped them further into conference contention.
The result marked a significant win for Richmond in the midst of a crucial stretch of conference play. With this victory, they secured a vital edge over their rivals and took a major step toward securing a top spot in the standings.
In contrast, Fordham's struggles on Tuesday night highlighted the challenges that lie ahead for the Rams as they seek to mount a late-season push for the postseason tournament.