So close, and yet so far.

Fordham Women’s Basketball dropped an 80-79 heartbreaker at Amherst to the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Minutemen last Wednesday, and fell to an 8-4 Atlantic 10 record. The Rams played a holistically good game, but UMass was ultimately the better squad in crunch time.

Rams got off to a hot start against UMass. Fordham held a 41-39 lead at the end of the opening half and was particularly aided by the play of both graduate student Asiah Dingle and senior Anna DeWolfe. The A-10’s leading scorers posted 21 and 10 points, respectively, over the first 20 minutes of play. Dingle’s 21 included three 3-point shots. Further, the Boston Native also contributed six boards and three assists in the first half.

The Rams’ edge may have been greater if they had not turned the ball over 12 times in the first half. One furious run gave the opposition life before the break.

Fordham led 41-30 with 1:28 to go in the half, but UMass showed their ability to connect from behind the arc before intermission. 3-pointers from Sydney Taylor, Sam Breen and Destiney Philoxy trimmed the maroon lead to two and enabled the Minutemen to enter the locker room feeling confident.

Fordham played an aggressive brand of basketball in the second half. They out-rebounded UMass by eight boards in the second half, but did not keep up the same offensive firepower they illustrated in the first half.

Meanwhile, the A-10’s second best three-point shooting team only made two 3-pointers in the second half, but were able to score by getting to the free-throw line and swishing both mid-range jumpers and layups.

DeWolfe hit a late fourth quarter jumper to give Fordham a one point lead. But, Ber’Nyah Mayo answered right back with a clutch shot of her own, giving UMass an 80-79 advantage with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. The Rams had a chance to win it at the other end, but could not get a shot off.

All told, Dingle tallied a game-high 30 points, while also contributing eight rebounds, six dimes and four steals. DeWolfe poured in 17 points and collected one rebound and five assists. Graduate student Jada Dapaa led the Rams in rebounding with 10 boards. The forward also provided 12 points on an effective 6-9 shooting performance.

Mayo and Breen led UMass on the scoreboard. Mayo ultimately finished with 29 points while Breen added 18. Philoxy was also superb as she put up 15 points, six assists and five rebounds. Mayo, Breen and Philoxy made all 16 of the Minutemen’s trips to the charity stripe and sank 12 attempts.

Fordham Women’s Basketball will look to get back into the win column this Thursday when they head to the city of brotherly love for a battle with the La Salle University Explorers before returning home for a Sunday matinee against George Mason University.