Feb. 2, 2013

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BRONX, N.Y. - Continuing the team's best start in the A-10 since joining the league nearly two decades ago, four Fordham players scored in double figures as the women of Rose Hill dominated the team's first ever game against VCU, earning a 71-41 victory in the Rose Hill Gym.

With the win, Fordham moves to 15-6 (5-1), matching its highest ever win total in A-10 play while guaranteeing a winning regular season for the first time since 1994-1995. VCU falls to 8-14 (1-6) with the loss.

After a pregame ceremony honoring her 1,000th career point against Richmond two weeks ago, Marah Strickland couldn't miss in the opening minutes of Saturday's contest. The graduate student scored ten of Fordham's first 12 points, going 4-4 from the floor and 2-2 from beyond the arc.

After Abigail Corning nailed a jumper to make the score 14-4 with just over 12 minutes to go, Zakia Williams hit a free throw on the ensuing possession for VCU. From there, the Rams ignited. Five points from Erin Rooney sparked a 10-0 run and Fordham grabbed a 24-5 lead with nine minutes to go in the first half. Overall, Fordham enjoyed a 22-2 run over the course of 11 minutes.

The Rams didn't take their foot of the gas after that. Rooney's three-pointer to beat the buzzer gave Fordham a 41-19 lead heading into the intermission, the most points scored by the Rams in a half this season.

Rooney and Strickland paced the way for Fordham with 13 points apiece in the first half, with each draining five field goals and three jumpers from beyond the arc. Samantha Clark chipped in eight points and five boards, while Corning added five rebounds and four assists.

The winning Rams shot 53 percent from the floor in the opening stanza and 7-14 from deep. Fordham also dominated the glass, out-rebounding VCU 23-13.

After opening up a 22 point lead to close out the first half, Fordham showed no signs of quitting in the latter stanza. Arielle Collins scored seven points early to help Fordham open the lead to 26, 58-32, midway through the half.

Fordham extended the lead even further over the remainder of the game, never letting the deficit to get closer than 24. The lead eventually got up to the 30, the margin of victory with which Fordham would end the game.

On the afternoon, Strickland and Rooney each scored a team-high 18 points, nailing seven shots from the floor and four three-pointers (a career high for Rooney). In addition, Rooney chipped in five assists and five boards, while Strickland added four rebounds and three helpers.

Collins registered her second straight 17 point effort. The Hamilton, N.J., native also corralled seven rebounds and swiped four steals.

Clark finished the day with ten points and seven rebounds before fouling out with a few minutes to go. Corning, despite being the only Fordham starter to reach double figures, filled up the stat sheet with ease. The Wethersfield, Conn., product scored eight points, dished out a career-high eight helpers and pulled down five boards in the winning effort.

Fordham recorded its second best effort from the floor on the season, shooting 51 percent. From three, the Rams turned in their best percentage of the season, draining 13 of their 24 attempts, good enough for 54 percent.

The Rams also set a season-high in assists, dishing out 20 helpers on the game.

Fordham will be back in action on Wednesday, traveling to La Salle to take on the Explorers at 7 PM.