In Fordham Women’s Basketball’s last few games, the team was not afraid to show what type of competitors they were. When we last checked in with the team, Fordham was getting ready to play its last few games of the season. The team had just lost to the Dayton Flyers at home in a very close game. It was not an easy loss, and the team was ready to head into the next game with a focus on closing out strong  for the win. 

On Wednesday, Feb. 23, the team traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to face another Atlantic 10 opponent. In the final road game of the regular season, the Rams did their best to take home the win with a strong second half comeback but were unable to do so. The team worked together to try and outscore the Spiders. However their efforts only carried them so far. 

Senior Asiah Dingle was a vital part of the team’s offense, exploding for 31 points and six rebounds. The next highest scorer, senior Kaitlyn Downey, had 12 points and eight rebounds. These points did not come easily, as the Spiders put up a strong fight. The opposing team had 37 defensive rebounds that contributed to their success significantly. Richmond’s starting five each had double digit points, adding to the team’s overall success. Fordham was unable to keep up with the Spiders, and they took the loss, 79-69. 

Fordham then traveled back to the Bronx to face their last home opponent of the regular season: the Davidson Wildcats. The Rams were able to protect home court and secure the win. Fordham sent five graduating students off with a win in this senior game by a final of 68-47, closing their season with a record of 17-9. Fordham celebrated graduate students Kendall Heremaia and Edona Thaqi, redshirt senior Vilisi Tavui and seniors Catherine Polisano and Megan Jonassen.

The Rams were able to hold the lead throughout most of the game. Heremaia helped lead the 10-0 run that the Rams had during the first quarter. As the Wildcats tried to take the lead back, Fordham was able to take back the lead thanks to made baskets from Dingle and Dewolfe.

Freshmen Millie Prior and Colleen McQuinn also contributed, leading the charge for the Rams’ until the end of the second quarter. This run of scoring continued as the second half started, and the Wildcats had no way to answer back. Downey and Heremaia kept making baskets, leaving Davidson struggling to catch up.

Junior Anna DeWolfe had the most points of the game with 19 while also matching her career high amount of four steals. With this last regular season win, the Rams were ready to head into the A-10 Tournament, ranked 6th with a lot of the competition already wrapped around their belt.

Fordham’s first opponent was George Mason University, a team ranked 14th in the league and an opponent that they already faced. The Rams last faced the Patriots  in early January, and this last meeting had resulted in a win for the team. This time, instead of facing the team at home, the Rams were in unfamiliar territory, playing in Chase Fieldhouse.

It was not an easy win, but one that came with teamwork and hard effort. DeWolfe once again stood out for her team, scoring 12 points.

The Rams’ run ended just as it was beginning. This time, the team faced the University of Massachusetts Minutewomen once again. Last time, the game came down to the wire, but the Rams were hoping to switch the story up this time and take the win. The Rams held the lead during the first two quarters. However, coming out of the locker room, the Minutewomen got a second wind and came ready to take over. UMass outscored Fordham 43-33 in the second half, defeating the Rams 66-63 and eliminating them from the tournament. Sam Breen scored 16 points on 6-8 shooting to push the Minutewomen over the line.

Fordham was picked to finish third in the A-10 in preseason polls. The Rams drew the sixth seed in the conference tournament and lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champions UMass, a disappointment to say the least for Fordham. 

As the season comes to a close, the Rams are waiting to hear about a postseason berth opportunity.