In a shocking turn of events, Fordham pulled off a stunning 79-65 upset over George Washington at the Charles E. Smith Center, defying expectations and handing the Colonials a devastating loss. This outcome was a far cry from the predicted 10.7-point margin in favor of George Washington, as Fordham dominated the second half to secure the 14-point victory.
The first half was closely contested, with Fordham taking a slim 34-31 lead into the break. However, the Rams exploded in the second half, outscoring George Washington 45-34 to pull away for the win. Dejour Reaves was the catalyst for Fordham's success, posting an impressive 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists to lead the charge. Christian Henry and Akira Jacobs also made significant contributions, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively.
On the other side, Christian Jones did his best to keep George Washington in the game, tallying 13 points and 6 assists. Garrett Johnson and Tyrone Marshall Jr. added 11 points each, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rams' balanced attack. The Colonials' usually stout defense was breached repeatedly, allowing Fordham to shoot at a high percentage and control the tempo of the game.
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The upset victory is a significant boost to Fordham's resume, as it qualifies as a Quadrant 1 win for the Rams. Conversely, the loss is a Quadrant 4 defeat for George Washington, which could have implications for their tournament chances. The Colonials, ranked 70th in the net rankings, were expected to handle Fordham with ease, but instead, they found themselves on the wrong end of a convincing loss.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction, which had George Washington winning by 10.7 points, was woefully inaccurate. The actual outcome was a reflection of Fordham's resilience and determination, as they capitalized on their opportunities and made the most of their trip to the nation's capital.
As the season enters its critical stretch, this result will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the tournament prospects of both teams. For Fordham, the win provides a much-needed injection of momentum, and their current net ranking of 219 could see a significant boost. Meanwhile, George Washington must regroup and refocus to avoid letting this loss snowball into a larger slump. The Colonials' tournament chances are still intact, but they can ill afford another setback like this if they hope to secure a spot in the postseason.