In a stunning upset, the Fordham Rams, ranked 187th in the NET rankings, outlasted the Davidson Wildcats, who sit 104th, by a 63-59 margin. The Rams' victory sent shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, potentially altering seeding implications for the upcoming tournament. A 4-point margin belies the competitiveness of the contest, as both teams battled neck and neck throughout the second half.
Fordham's triumph, which saw them outscore the Wildcats 34-37 in the final 20 minutes, was a testament to their defensive prowess, particularly in the paint. The Rams' ability to contain Davidson's high-powered offense and capitalize on their own scoring opportunities ultimately proved decisive, as they maintained a narrow lead throughout the second half.
Fordham's Dejour Reaves led the Rams to victory with a standout performance, scoring 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line. His efficiency from the charity stripe was particularly noteworthy, as he converted nearly every attempt to seal the win. Reaves also contributed with 4 rebounds and 2 assists, demonstrating his well-rounded game.
Christian Henry and Rikus Schulte provided crucial support for Reaves, with Henry delivering 11 points and 6 assists, despite shooting just 3-of-8 from the field. Henry's ability to create for his teammates and capitalize on scoring opportunities was evident, but his free throw shooting left much to be desired. Schulte, meanwhile, provided a strong presence in the paint, grabbing 9 rebounds to go along with 9 points and 3 assists, and displaying a defensive presence with a blocked shot.
Roberts Blums' 16 points on 6-14 shooting from the field and 4-7 from beyond the arc were a bright spot for Davidson, but ultimately fell short in the team's 59-63 loss to Fordham. Blums' scoring efficiency was good, but his 0-2 performance from the free throw line proved costly.
Parker Friedrichsen also showed flashes of brilliance, scoring 13 points on 3-7 shooting from the field and 3-5 from three-point range. Friedrichsen's 4-5 mark from the free throw line was a highlight, but it was not enough to propel the Wildcats to victory. Ian Platteeuw's 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists were solid, but he struggled to find his rhythm in the second half, contributing to Davidson's struggles down the stretch.
The remainder of the rosters for both teams largely adhered to their established season averages.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a Fordham victory by 0.8 points proved correct, as the Rams ultimately emerged with a 4-point win. The margin was narrower than anticipated, but ultimately, Fordham's defense and rebounding proved decisive in the outcome.
The game was decided by Fordham's ability to limit Davidson's three-point shooting and its own improved performance on the glass. The Wildcats' 45.5% three-point shooting, a season-high for Davidson, was neutralized by Fordham's 23.1% three-point defense, a significant improvement over its season average. Meanwhile, Fordham's rebounding rate surged to 23.1%, a season-high, which allowed the Rams to control the boards and limit Davidson's second-chance opportunities. These two factors combined to give Fordham the edge it needed to secure the win.
For Fordham, this crucial Quad 3 victory bolsters their NCAA Tournament resume, providing a much-needed win against a quality opponent. However, their NET ranking remains at #187, and their Quad 1 record remains at 0-1, indicating that they still need to secure a signature win against a top-tier opponent to move up the seeding ladder. With this win, Fordham will likely find themselves on the bubble, and their NET ranking will be scrutinized closely by the Selection Committee. They'll need to capitalize on the remainder of their schedule to secure a spot in the tournament. Fordham's win will be viewed as a "quality loss" by the Selection Committee, as it will allow Davidson to potentially take their place in the seeding conversation.