Fordham women earn 21st victory

BRONX, N.Y. – The Fordham women earned their 21^st victory with a 62-50 defeat of St. Bonaventure at Rose Hill on Wednesday. The observations and notes on a game with two decidedly different halves:

• What a difference a year makes. Losing three starters, including the likes of Jessica Jenkins and Megan Van Tatenhove, had a pronounced effect on the Bonnies’ outlook this season. What wasn’t planned was the loss of Chelsea Bowker, who was counted on to supply perimeter scoring. Bowker was granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA due to injury. For the present though it has been a struggle. A look at the efficiency numbers from last year’s Atlantic 10 undefeated team that went to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and the current season:

Interestingly, in both seasons, the Bonnies averaged 65 possessions per game.

• The Rams put on a shooting display. In the first half they knocked down nine three-pointers. At one point they led by 16 and took a 41-27 lead into halftime. Fordham was 9 of 13 from three (69%) and 6 of 15 (40%) from two-point range. There were some open looks from the perimeter and a number that were contested. Marah Strickland and Erin Rooney both had three treys the first half and combined for 6 of 9 (67%) shooting from downtown.
• Team that shot the lights out was held to a total of four (4 of 24 for 16.7%) field goals the second half. The Bonnies closed to within one possession but never were able to get the lead. “The first half we got concerned with (Samantha) Clark inside,” St. Bonaventure coach Jim Crowley said. “Second half we defended a lot better.”
• Poise. A huge mid-range jumper by Strickland down the stretch gave Fordham some breathing room. Both Crowley and Fordham coach Stephanie Gaitley agreed that shot was a big momentum boost for Fordham. In the stretch where Bonaventure missed free throws and makeable shots, the opportunistic Rams put the game away. “They (Fordham) have the experience and very good chemistry,” Crowley said. “Give them credit.”
• Numbers. St. Bonaventure did not lose an A-10 game last season until the conference final against Dayton. Currently they are 9-19 and 2-11 in conference. They did not qualify for the A-10 Tournament and finish out the season hosting LaSalle on Saturday. Fordham is 21-7 overall and 11-2 in conference with a shot at getting a top four seed. Rooney led all scorers with 19 points while Strickland added 16. Doris Ortega paced St. Bonaventure with 13 points.  The pace and efficiency:

Abigail Corning, a 5-10 junior guard for Fordham, led all rebounders with 14 points. Corning added 15 points. St. Bonaventure’s leading rebounder was one of the two freshmen in the starting lineup. Katie Healy, a 6-1 forward, paced the Bonnies with 11 boards.

The Bonnies enjoyed a 28-12 edge in points in the paint but the Rams knocked down 11 threes compared to three for the visitors.