Davidson's Josh Scovens stole the show at John M. Belk Arena, scoring 19 points to lead the Wildcats to a 68-63 win over Fordham. The outcome was never truly in doubt, but Fordham's Dejour Reaves made sure the Rams stayed within striking distance, finishing with 22 points and 5 rebounds.
The first half saw Fordham take a 30-26 lead into the break, with Reaves already having scored 12 points. However, Davidson regrouped and came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Rams 42-33. Roberts Blums and Nick Coval chipped in with 14 and 7 points, respectively, to support Scovens' efforts.
Before the game, CHD Scout predicted a close contest, forecasting a 3.5-point Davidson victory. The actual margin of 5 points was close enough to validate the prediction, with the Wildcats ultimately covering the spread. The win was a reflection of Davidson's resilience and ability to close out games against tough opponents.
The game's pace was dictated by the Wildcats' defense, which managed to contain Fordham's offense despite Reaves' impressive performance. Jack Whitbourn and Christian Henry added 11 and 9 points, respectively, for the Rams, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
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Final
This victory is significant for Davidson's tournament chances, as it counts as a Quad 4 win. Although not the most prestigious victory, it still helps to solidify the Wildcats' resume. On the other hand, Fordham's loss is classified as a Quad 2 defeat, which won't severely hurt their chances but won't provide much of a boost either.
For Davidson, this win brings their record to 12-6, while Fordham drops to 10-10. The Wildcats want to build on this momentum as they continue their season, aiming to strengthen their case for a tournament bid. With their current net ranking of 126, they still have work to do, but this win is a step in the right direction. As for Fordham, they'll need to regroup and find ways to close out games like this one, where they had a legitimate chance to win on the road.
The implications of this result are clear: Davidson has taken a small but crucial step forward in their tournament pursuit, while Fordham faces an uphill battle to regain traction. With the season heating up, every game counts, and the Wildcats want to capitalize on this momentum to make a push for the postseason.