Rams Head to Miami for Sunshine State Showdown
BRONX, N.Y. – Fresh off a thrilling three point victory over UAlbany at the Rose Hill Gym Friday night, Fordham University women’s basketball heads down to the Sunshine State Sunday for its first road trip of the campaign, taking on Miami. Tip off between the Rams and Hurricanes is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from the Watsco Center and broadcasted live on ACC Network Extra.
Rose Hill Ready
Playing the first two games of the season within the friendly confines of the Rose Hill Gym, Fordham opened with a 27-point win over Adelphi before taking on UAlbany last night. Pacing the team for the second game in a row, Emy Hayford notched a career-best 22 points on 8-13 shooting, while sinking a pair of threes and a perfect 4-4 at the free throw line. She would be one of three Rams with 10 or more points, as Taylor Donaldson scored 14 and Aminata Ly added 10.
The Rams shot 14-18 for the contest from the charity stripe, including an impressive 8-11 at the line in the final 10 minutes. Matching one another on the boards 29 apiece, the two sides finished nearly even in the assist column, but it was two key places in the game where the Rams’ made the mark to stay within the fight. Outscoring the Great Danes a whopping 34-14 inside the paint, Fordham also forced 17 turnovers, which included 10 steals, the second straight game with double-digit steals.
How ’bout Hayford
Emy Hayford made her Rams’ debut in style, as the graduate transfer from Pitt tallied a career-high 18 points Monday, one of three players to finish in double figures on the night during Fordham’s season opener. Hayford followed that performance with 22 points, another new career-high in her second game with Fordham Friday night, helping the Rams to a win over UAlbany.
What to Make of Miami
Opening the year with seven straight games in Coral Gables, Miami hosts the Rams Sunday following a season opening victory over Jacksonville 81-53. Four players finished that game with at least 13 points, including Jasmyne Roberts who tallied 14 on 6-8 shooting with a pair of threes and seven rebounds. Lemyah Hylton also paced the team with 14 points, with the Hurricanes shooting 45% from the field and hitting just over 30% of their shots from beyond the arc.
Finishing the 2022-23 campaign 22-13, Miami reached the Elite Eight a year ago, which included wins over #3/2 Indiana and #10 Villanova during that run. Picked tied for 25th in the USA Today/WBCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Hurricanes are also receiving votes in AP Top 25, providing a strong early test for Fordham, as the first of two ACC teams the Rams will face this season.
Weekend Warriors
Playing two games in less than 48 hours, Friday’s meeting with UAlbany sees the Rams quickly turn around and pack their bags for a trip down the coast for a meeting with Miami Sunday. The first of two ACC opponents Fordham will face during the non-conference calendar, the Rams and Hurricanes will tip off at 2:00 p.m. from the Watsco Center. The early season home-away test will be one of two instances this season where the Rams will have a two-day turnaround between games, with the other coming in back-to-back road dates at Duquesne and Siena in early December.
Making a House a Home
The 2023-24 calendar starts with a litany of home games for the Rams, who will play seven of their first eight games in the friendly confines of the Rose Hill Gym. With the lone trip out of The Bronx coming this weekend with a visit to Miami, Fordham will play five straight games at home from Nov. 16 to Dec. 2. That stretch will begin with the annual “Battle of the Bronx” when the Rams host Manhattan, the first of six games broadcast on SNY this season. Taking on Georgian Court just before thanksgiving, Fordham takes on UMass Lowell Nov. 25, followed by matchups with Saint Peter’s and Maine the following week.
What to Make of Miami
Opening the year with seven straight games in Coral Gables, Miami hosts the Rams Sunday following a season opening victory over Jacksonville 81-53. Four players finished that game with at least 13 points, including Jasmyne Roberts who tallied 14 on 6-8 shooting with a pair of threes and seven rebounds. Lemyah Hylton also paced the team with 14 points, with the Hurricanes shooting 45% from the field and hitting just over 30% of their shots from beyond the arc.
Finishing the 2022-23 campaign 22-13, Miami reached the Elite Eight a year ago, which included wins over #3/2 Indiana and #10 Villanova during that run. Picked tied for 25th in the USA Today/WBCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Hurricanes are also receiving votes in AP Top 25, providing a strong early test for Fordham, as the first of two ACC teams the Rams will face this season.
Next Stop
Returning north to Five Boroughs for the next five games, beginning this Thursday when they host local rival Manhattan in the annual “Battle of the Bronx.” Tip off against the Jaspers is slated for 7:00 p.m. from the Rose Hill Gym and broadcast live as the first of six games for Fordham women’s basketball on SNY.
