Fordham remains undefeated in A-10 after takedown of Davidson in Wednesday matinee

Stephanie Gaitley imparts words of wisdom to her Fordham team during Rams' Wednesday afternoon battle with Davidson, which ended with undefeated Atlantic 10 record remaining intact. (Photo by Ray Floriani/Daly Dose of Hoops)

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

BRONX, NY -- The Atlantic 10 race is still in its early stages. Leading the way with unblemished records are Dayton, Duquesne and Fordham, and while there is a good portion of the schedule remaining, coach Stephanie Gaitley’s Rams are off to a great start with no indication they will not be around for the duration.

The early part of the conference schedule has been favorable, and Fordham has seized the opportunity with three of their first four in the friendly confines of Rose Hill Gymnasium. The lone road trip was a contest at a struggling UMass. Fordham closed out the two-game homestand, defeating Davidson 66-58 on Wednesday at home to improve their conference record to 4-0.

Fordham pulled through, even as star forward G’mrice Davis was struggling in the first half. On each catch, there was a second Davidson defender coming over to cut off her post moves. The Fordham interior standout didn’t force the issue, yet she was limited. 

“I thought they did a great job doubling down and cutting off her inside moves.” Gaitley said of Davidson’s defense. 

With Davis neutralized, Fordham needed another option to step up. Enter the backcourt. Bre Cavanaugh and Lauren Holden were able to answer. With the junior Holden, the situation was particularly tenuous after she picked up her second personal foul four minutes into the game. 

“We gambled,” Gaitley admitted. “Lauren got her second personal, but we left her in. It was a gamble.” One that ultimately paid off. 

The third quarter proved decisive. The Rams expanded a two-point halftime the lead to double digits. Good ball movement opened up perimeter opportunities for Cavanaugh and Holden. The defense tightened up, holding the Wildcats to five field goals and keeping them from establishing any offensive rhythm. Entering the final ten minutes, the Ram lead was eleven. 

Davis, on her behalf, kept working hard, rebounding and making her presence felt on the defensive end. As the fourth quarter progressed, the offensive opportunities arose even as the Wildcats got within two possessions the final minute, but no closer, as the Rams closed it out on the charity stripe. 

“I take blame for that and apologized to the team,”: Gaitley said. “I should have called a timeout late just to settle us down, but I didn’t. Give Davidson credit. They play hard and wouldn’t let up.” 

For Davidson coach Gayle Coats Fulks,  it was an outing where the effort was favorable but the proverbial what-if lingered. 

“We figured Davis could go for 17 and Cavanaugh (game-high 20 points) would score. We doubled on Davis and figured Holden might not hurt us. She did.” 

Holden scored 17 points, knocking down four of seven three-point field goal attempts. She had eight of those points in that first half when Davis was going 3-of-10 from the floor. 

“The last five minutes of the half and the first six or so in the third quarter were the difference,” Coats Fulks said. “We didn’t play well during that stretch. That’s been our problem. We need a consistent 40-minute effort. We are improving and getting closer to achieving that.” 

Davidson, led by Mackenzie Latt and Justine Lyon with 13 points each, is 6-11 overall. The Rams are now 13-4.

The last Fordham loss was their one-sided loss to UCLA three weeks ago, Since then they have reeled off six straight wins. 

“As a team we have grown in confidence,” Gaitley said regarding these past weeks. “We really believe in each other. I am just proud of my team." 

Moving ahead is a Sunday game at VCU before a big home date with Dayton next Wednesday. “One thing we need is Mary (Goulding) back,” Gaitley said of her junior forward, set to return from an injury in about a week. “She not only gives us scoring production but Mary adds depth. Right now we do not have the (personnel) numbers.” 

The numbers Fordham does have are 1.000, their A-10 winning percentage to date.