The Rams Roared: Fordham Men's Basketball Dominates Manhattan in the Battle of the Bronx
In a thrilling display of basketball prowess, the Fordham Rams emerged victorious in the annual Battle of the Bronx, outshining the Manhattan Jaspers with a final score of 82-53. This triumph marks a significant milestone for the team, as they improve their record to 8-4, while Manhattan's record slips to 4-7.
The game was a testament to the team's depth and talent, with four players scoring double figures. Junior forward Rikus Schulte led the way, notching a career-high 21 points and a double-double with 10 rebounds. Senior guard Christian Henry, named the Mike Cohen MVP, contributed 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists. Grad student guard Dejour Reaves added 18 points, and redshirt freshman Fordham Abass Bodija scored a season-high 14 points while grabbing 6 rebounds.
The game unfolded with Fordham jumping out to an early lead, extending it to 25-13 with a 7-0 run in the first half. However, Manhattan managed to cut the deficit to 6 points at halftime, 31-25. The second half saw Fordham pull away, scoring 9 straight points to take a 14-point lead, 48-34. The Rams continued to dominate, widening their lead to 73-51, and eventually 82-51, with a 9-0 run in the final minutes.
Despite being outscored from the free-throw line, 9-3, Fordham's overall performance was impressive. They outrebounded Manhattan 47-21, pulled down 15 offensive rebounds resulting in 13 second-chance points, and recorded double figures in offensive rebounds for the tenth time this season. The Rams' defensive prowess and ability to control the pace of the game were key factors in their victory.
This win marks the 56th victory over Manhattan, the most for any Fordham opponent, and the 720th all-time win in the Rose Hill Gym. The Rams' dominance in the Battle of the Bronx continues, with an average victory margin of 30.5 points in the last two meetings.
Looking ahead, the Rams will take a break for finals before returning to action on Monday, December 22, hosting the University of New Haven Chargers in the annual Kid's Day game. This will be the first meeting between the two teams, with New Haven transitioning to the NCAA Div. I from the NCAA Div. II. The Chargers are a member of the Northeast Conference, and Fordham has a strong record against teams in this conference, with a 54-14 all-time record.
The Rams' next challenge will be a test of their resilience and consistency, as they prepare to face a new opponent and continue their journey towards conference play.
