In a shocking turn of events, Fordham pulled off a monumental upset at the Reilly Center, taking down St. Bonaventure 81-77. The Rams, ranked 227th in the net rankings, handed the Bonnies, ranked 158th, a devastating loss that will undoubtedly send ripples through the college basketball landscape. This stunning result marks a significant Q3 win for Fordham, while St. Bonaventure suffers a damaging Q4 loss.
Dejour Reaves was the catalyst behind Fordham's impressive victory, scoring a game-high 31 points and dishing out 6 assists. His exceptional performance was complemented by Jack Whitbourn's double-double, consisting of 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Rikus Schulte's 14 points and 5 rebounds. The Rams' balanced attack and tenacious defense allowed them to overcome a strong effort from St. Bonaventure's Darryl Simmons II, who poured in 24 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
At halftime, Fordham held a slim 39-34 lead, but it was clear that the game was far from over. St. Bonaventure's Cayden Charles, who finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds, led the charge in the second half, as the Bonnies mounted a fierce comeback. However, Reaves and the Rams refused to back down, matching St. Bonaventure's intensity and outscoring them 42-43 in the second half.
The loss is a significant blow to St. Bonaventure's tournament hopes, as it drops a winnable game at home. With a Q4 loss on their resume, the Bonnies must regroup and refocus to stay in contention. On the other hand, Fordham's upset victory provides a much-needed boost to their tournament chances. The Rams' Q3 win demonstrates their ability to compete against stronger opponents, and they want to build on this momentum as the season progresses.
Without a pre-game prediction to gauge expectations, the outcome of this matchup was truly unpredictable. However, one thing is certain – Fordham's victory will have far-reaching implications for both teams. As the season enters its critical stretch, the Rams will aim to capitalize on this momentum, while the Bonnies will strive to bounce back from this disappointing loss.
The resume implications of this result are substantial, as Fordham's upset win injects life into their tournament aspirations. With a notable Q3 victory under their belt, the Rams want to string together more wins and strengthen their case for a postseason berth. Conversely, St. Bonaventure's Q4 loss raises concerns about their ability to close out games against lesser opponents, potentially damaging their tournament chances. As the college basketball landscape continues to unfold, this upset will undoubtedly be remembered as a pivotal moment in the season.