Gaitley encouraged by Rams’ potential for success after win in A-10 opener

(Photo by Ray Floriani/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

NEW YORK — Conference play means a new start. The non-conference record, in a sense, is wiped clean. Everyone begins 0-0 in league play. 

That very idea concerned Stephanie Gaitley.

   

Her Fordham team hosted St. Bonaventure in an Atlantic 10 matchup Saturday, the conference opener for both teams. Gaitley was aware conference play could be a new life for Jesse Fleming’s Bonnies, who entered Rose Hill Gym having won both of their two prior matchups.

“We knew Jesse always has his teams prepared,” Gaitley said. “They always come at you with a good effort.”

   

The final score, 79-53 in Fordham’s favor, gave little hint that this was a game of two distinctive halves, a game that could have gone either way judging by the first 20 minutes of play, when Fordham led by just six points, 36-30, at halftime.

During the intermission, Gaitley had a talk with her team that superseded Xs and Os. The offense was not the problem, not with Bre Cavanaugh and Kendell Heremaia alternating three-pointers with penetration off the dribble. The defense, however, was a separate issue.

“I challenged them, each and every one, to raise their defensive effort,” Gaitley said. “I told them, ‘Guys, you are better than this.’” 

Message sent and received.

The Rams set the tone as they opened the third period outscoring the Bonnies 12-6  over the first four minutes. By the end of the third period, what began as a two-possession game, was now a one-sided contest with the difference being 25 points. The Bonnies were outscored 27-8 in the first ten minutes following halftime. 

“Early in the third period, they came out strong and started to make the run,” Fleming said. “We couldn’t respond, they didn’t let us. That's what they do, why they are so good.”

Cavanaugh led all scorers with 29 points. Heremaia added 16 while Anna DeWolfe and Kaitlyn Downey contributed 13 and 10, respectively.

   

In the end, it was about defense, no surprise for a Gaitley squad. In the second half, the Rams’ man-to-man  defense contested shots, took away dribble penetration and held the Bonnies to one shot. Granted, the Rams lit up the scoreboard, but defense, as it often is at Fordham, was a difference maker.

The Rams are now 9-5 on  the season, winners of their last seven. In typical Gaitley style, this is a team  improving each night out. 

The defending A-10 champions will be right in the mix for the duration of the season, and while Gaitley sees VCU and Dayton among the better teams in conference, the veteran coach also sees a lot of balance in the league. 

“You have teams like UMass and Duquesne that have improved. We are at Davidson next (Wednesday) and they will be tough.” 

The lesson regarding preparedness was learned early this season. After a tough home loss to Notre Dame, the Rams went to Columbia and were drilled by 19 points. 

“Our kids came off the Notre Dame game and took a good Columbia team lightly,” Gaitley admitted. “We learned from that lesson. Our kids know you forget a team’s record. Prepare at your best.  In conference, everyone will come at you, give their best effort.”