Feb. 21, 2013

FORDHAM 51, RHODE ISLAND 42

KINGSTON, R.I. - Fordham improved to 19-7 on the season and 9-2 in the Atlantic 10 Thursday evening on the strength of their outside shooting as they went 10-of-20 from three-point range en route to defeating Rhode Island 51-42.

Rhode Island (6-20, 1-10 A-10) trailed by just three, 28-25, at halftime before Fordham opened the second half with an 11-3 run to increase its lead to 39-28 with 10 minutes remaining in regulation. Rhode Island clawed its way back and made it a two-possession game with a little under two minutes left to play, but Fordham held on for the 51-42 victory.

Fordham's Erin Rooney led Fordham in scoring once again on the evening, pouring in 18 points and grabbing six boards. Marah Strickland was the only other Fordham player in double figures, tallying 14 points.

Taylor Melendez led the way for Rhode Island with a team-high 13 points and three steals. She has now scored in double figures in 15 of the team's 26 games and has been Rhode Island's top scorer 12 times.

DAYTON 67, ST. BONAVENTURE 63 | DAYTON POSTGAME | SBU HIGHLIGHTS/POSTGAME

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y - The University of Dayton women's basketball team defeated St. Bonaventure 67-63 on Thursday evening to remain undefeated in conference play this season. With the victory, Dayton improves to 23-1 overall and 11-0 in the Atlantic 10 and clinches a bye in the first round of the A-10 Championship. With the loss, St. Bonaventure falls to 9-17 and 2-9 in the conference.

Andrea Hoover led the way with 13 points while Aly Mallot chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds to lead Dayton as a total of nine Flyers scored on the evening.

Four St. Bonaventure players scored in double-figures, led by Alaina Walker's 17 points. Doris Ortega and Emily Michael each added 12 points for the Bonnies, while Katie Healey had 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Flyers battled to a 32-24 lead at the half. There were five lead changes and two ties in the first seven minutes. A three by Malott at the 13:08 mark gave UD an 11-8 lead that the Flyers never relinquished.

Dayton's lead swelled to 15 early in the second half as Kelley Austria's jumper gave the Flyers a 44-29 advantage with 14:03 left in the game. Dayton held a 13-point lead with 37 seconds left in regulation, before the Bonnies went on a 10-1 run to pull within three as regulation ended.