Gaitley gets 600th win as Fordham crushes St. Bonaventure

Fordham players and coaches surround Stephanie Gaitley after Rams' head coach won 600th career game Thursday in Rams' home victory over St. Bonaventure. (Photo by Ray Floriani/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

BRONX, NY -- Thursday was a night of celebration. A night of a milestone. A victory that raised her team's Atlantic 10 record to 7-1. 

As a result, Fordham coach Stephanie Gaitley celebrated both her birthday and 600th career victory, as Fordham defeated St. Bonaventure, 72-48.

The first period saw a ten-minute stretch all too familiar to Bonnies head coach Jesse Fleming. The Bonnies went 5:07 before registering a point. Mariah Ruff broke the ice with a layup off penetration. The Bonnies did a decent job of defending, which kept them within striking distance, down 17-10 as the period ended.

“I thought early on, we were locked in,” Fleming said. “We did have to make some adjustments, as there were a lot of touch fouls getting called.”

St. Bonaventure trailed 34-27, but was in striking distance, at halftime. Many of the statistical categories were close, but one jumped off the page commanding instant attention, that being rebounds. The Rams enjoyed a 22-12 edge with a 10-2 advantage on the offensive end. In simple terms, the offensive rebounding differential ensured Fordham of extending eight possessions, critical in what was; at that juncture, a three-possession game.

The third period basically sealed the deal for Fordham. The Bonnies were in another offensive funk, putting only nine points on the board. One would be remiss not to mention and credit Fordham’s defense. In a hard-nosed, lockdown mode, the Rams made it difficult for their opposition to run sets and get a good look. Uncontested shots for the Bonnies were a rarity as Fordham, especially in that third period, put on a defensive clinic.

“At the half, we made some adjustments defensively,” Gaitley said. “We went over things we talked about in game preparation. I told them I can live with a missed wide open shot, but cannot live with missed defensive assignments.”

Fordham, in very workmanlike fashion, closed out the victory, as there was no hint of a run by the visiting Bonnies. 

“Fordham is just one of the best-drilled defensive teams,” Fleming praised. “If you want to be successful against them, you need to make threes and get out into transition.”  

The Bonnies did not score a point in transition, while offense beyond the arc resulted in a 4-of-15 showing. 

“Jesse does a great job," Gaitley praised, "and they force you to play a different style. Once we settled down and didn’t force things, we were fine.”

Fordham improved to 16-5 and 7-1, as noted, in conference, placing four in double figures paced by G’mrice Davis (18 points and a game-high 14 rebounds). Mary Goulding also enjoyed a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. as Fordham won the rebounding battle, 48-24, while holding the Bonnies to 34 percent shooting, a stellar showing in areas that the Rams prioritized even more on this special night.

“I’m old,” Gaitley quipped when reflecting on her 600th win. Actually, she went on thinking of the stops along the way and the years and games making everything so worthwhile. 

“Everyplace, every assistant, all the players and administrators over the years contributed to this,” she said. "It is a total effort. You cannot do this alone. I was never one to coach for the numbers. Frank (Gaitley’s husband) told me before the season I could get to 600. He was always on the number, but given our schedule and early injuries, I didn’t know.”

The opportunity for number 600, in Gaitley’s 32nd season as a head coach, did come to pass and gain entrance in the books. Moving on, the concern is on conference play, where Fordham is a major threat. On this one eventful evening, it was a night to honor a wonderful achievement by one of the best and most respected coaches in the game.