Feb. 4, 2005

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Fordham handed Saint Joseph's women's basketball team its fourth straight loss, as the Hawks fell to the Rams 47-43 Friday evening at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.

In a hectic final 10 minutes, Saint Joseph's used a 9-0 run to overcome a 36-38 deficit. The Hawks took a 37-36 lead on a layup by junior forward Faith Schutte at 5:46.

Fordham answered quickly with back-to-back three pointers by Jade Leitao and Lara Hanson. Hanson's three gave the Rams a 42-37 lead with just over four minutes remaining in the game.

Both squads exchanged baskets over the next two minutes with Saint Joseph's sophomore guard Ayahna Cornish bringing the Hawks within two, 45-43, with a free throw at 1:45.

After three scoreless possessions, the Hawks gained possession with 27 seconds remaining. Fordham's defense smothered the Hawks, but junior guard Christine Roth got an opening from behind the arc. Unfortunately for Saint Joseph's, the ball hit the front of the rim and fell into the hands of Fordham's Kyshawn Ruff.

Ruff would calmly sink two free throws to seal the game for the Rams.

Saint Joseph's started hot in the first half, jumping out to a 9-0 lead, and extending it to 11-1 just five minutes into the game.

Fordham refused to quit and slowly chipped away at the Hawks' lead. The Rams held Saint Joseph's without a field goal over the final 9:53 of the first half and went into the locker room up 21-19.

The Hawks finished just 16-of-61 from the field (.262) on the night, while Fordham shot only 33.3 percent (18-54). Saint Joseph's did win the battle on the boards, 46-42, but committed 14 turnovers that turned into 14 points for Fordham.

Individually, Cornish led the Hawks with 12 points and added six rebounds. Schutte and Roth both added six points, with Schutte grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds.

Senior Monica Mack paced the Rams with 14 points, while Leitao added 11.

With the loss, Saint Joseph's falls to 4-17 on the season and 2-7 in Atlantic 10 play. The Rams improve to 7-15 overall and 3-6 in the A-10.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Sunday afternoon when it hosts Rhode Island at 2 p.m.