Fordham Men’s Basketball enjoyed their best offensive output this season on Saturday afternoon by scoring a season-high 76 points en route to defeating La Salle University by eight points, 76-68.

Junior guard Ty Perry came off the bench to lead all scorers with a game-high 18 points, tying a career-high in the process from beyond the arc. Knocking down six three-pointers in 25 minutes of action, Perry’s perimeter precision was on full display for the Rams. Fellow junior guard Jalen Cobb broke out of his recent shooting slump by netting a season-high 14 points to go alongside four assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Sophomore guard Kyle Rose had the best statistical game of his collegiate career, stuffing the stat sheet with a career-high 15 points, five steals, four assists and three rebounds. Sophomore center Joel Soriano recorded his third straight double-double this season behind 13 points and 13 rebounds on a day where Fordham’s offense was clicking on all cylinders. 

The Rams played unselfish basketball all afternoon, racking up a season-high 17 assists on the way to shooting 48% from the floor and 44% from downtown. Five Rams scored in double-figures: Perry, Cobb, Rose, Soriano and sophomore guard Chris Austin, who added 13 points.

After suffering their worst loss of the season in a 37-point blowout to La Salle last month, Fordham flipped the script and denied any aspirations La Salle had in completing the season sweep. The game was originally scheduled for Mar. 3 but was moved to Saturday when Fordham’s game with Davidson College was postponed as the Wildcats paused team activities.

Both teams went back-and-forth in the first half, with the Explorers holding a 17-16 lead midway through after senior guard David Beatty knocked down a jumper. From there, Fordham responded, outscoring La Salle 21-7 to take a 37-24 lead at halftime by holding one of the best three-point shooting teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference to a woeful 18% from beyond the arc through 20 minutes. The Rams did not look back and never relinquished their lead again.

The Explorers were able to fight back and make it a two-possession game on multiple occasions in the second half. However, each time La Salle got close, Fordham answered with timely made baskets and crucial defensive stops.

Saturday’s victory also marks interim head coach Mike DePaoli’s first career head coaching win since taking over the team following former head coach Jeff Neubauer’s departure on Jan. 26. When asked post-game about his first win in the historic Rose Hill Gymnasium, DePaoli acknowledged that it was extremely special. “You know, I’ve been here for 11 years and I’ve done everything from take out the garbage in the locker room to being the head coach,” said DePaoli. “It’s special, I’m not going to lie to you. And what makes it even more special is doing it with this group of guys.”

DePaoli credited the entire coaching staff for their preparation leading into the game and lauded his team’s effort in overcoming adversity for their second win this year. Fordham improves to 2-9 overall on the season and are now 2-9 in the A-10. More importantly, the Rams snapped a seven-game losing streak following their win against the University of Dayton last month, while also ending a nine-game losing streak to La Salle in the teams’ all-time series. La Salle now stands with an 8-11 overall record and 5-7 in conference play.

Fordham Men’s Basketball takes the court again on Wednesday, Feb. 10 when they head on the road to face George Mason University. It will be the 12th meeting between the two teams, with the Rams leading the all-time series, 7-4. Wednesday’s game can be streamed exclusively on ESPN+ and wfuvsports.org.