Fordham 54, Davidson 46: Ray Floriani's Tempo-Free Analysis

The Fordham dance team in action. (Photo courtesy of Ray Floriani)

Bronx, NY – Senior Day at Rose Hill. The Fordham women capped off a successful season defeating Davidson 54-46 in the final regular season Atlantic Ten Conference meeting for both teams. The pace and possessions:

Pace: Davidson 66 possessions, Fordham 61

Offensive Efficiency: Fordham 89, Davidson 70

Four Factors:

eFG: Fordham 47, Davidson 35

FT Rate: Fordham 42, Davidson 12

OREB Pct.: Fordham 35, Davidson 24

TO Rate: Davidson 21, Fordham 26

What Davidson did well: Put together a better second half. At the end of the first half, the Wildcats showed a 66 offensive efficiency. They were a bit better in the final twenty minutes, checking in at 74. Shooting wise was an improvement. A 27% first half improved to 39% the second. Not great, but enough to get back in as the defense was forcing Fordham into a 26% TO rate.

What Fordham did well: Avoid fouling. The Rams committed only 16 fouls and sent Davidson to the line for seven attempts the whole game. By contrast, Davidson attempted more threes (11) than free throws. Fordham's defense was also of note, holding the Wildcats to a 70 offensive efficiency. 

Leading scorers and OE: 

Davidson: Dakota Dukes 13 points, OE .429, Alex Long 13 points, .667.

Fordham: Emily Tapio 12 points, OE .539

Fordham had a higher turnover rate than Davidson while outscoring the visitors 13-12 in points off turnovers.

Davidson led 22-16 in points in the paint, a number of them coming off screen and roll sets they ran very well in the second half.

Tapio (12) and Samantha Clark (10) led Fordham in rebounds. Davidson leading scorer Hannah Early (14.5 ppg) was held to four points on 2-of-13 shooting. The junior forward did pace Davidson with 10 rebounds.

Tapio had five turnovers, but her offensive boards total matched that figure. Alex Long (6-of-10) was the only player on either side to shoot better than 50% for the game.

Fordham improved to 19-10 (11-5 in conference). Davidson is 5-24 (1-15). The Wildcats have dropped 10 straight, their last win coming January 18 at Saint Louis.

Fordham will play Friday at 2 p.m. in the Atlantic Ten Tournament. 

Final Thoughts

“This was good for us. This is what we have seen all year and exactly what we will see in the conference tournament. Everyone is competitive.” – Fordham coach Stephanie Gaitley

“We need some defensive work going into the tournament, especially defending pick-and-rolls.” – Fordham senior forward Emily Tapio