SBU Sports: Women’s basketball edged by Fordham Rams 64-55

SBU Sports: Women’s basketball edged by Fordham Rams 64-55

Zaida Gonzalez scored 21 points at Sunday's game. Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook women’s basketball team battled tough, but was ultimately defeated by Fordham, 64-55, on Dec. 1 on their home court. The Seawolves were paced by three players who scored in double figures, led by Zaida Gonzalez who scored 21 points. Breauna Ware tallied 12 points while Chloe Oliver helped out with 10.  

The Rams outlasted the Seawolves in a back-and-forth contest that consisted of six ties and eight lead changes. Stony Brook led 36-35 with 3:10 left to play in the third quarter following a step back jump shot by Ware. Fordham used a 7-2 run that carried over into the fourth quarter to take a lead it would not relinquish.

After falling behind 2-0, Stony Brook went on a 6-0 run with 8:48 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Brantley, to take a 6-2 lead. The Seawolves then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 14-12 advantage. Stony Brook did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 14 points close to the basket. Gonzalez led with eight points through the opening frame.

Fordham rallied to take a 16-14 lead before Stony Brook went on a 6-0 run starting at the 7:22 mark in the second period to take a 20-16 lead. The Rams then battled back to even it up at 27-27 heading into halftime as the Seawolves forced five turnovers from the Rams.

Fordham proceeded to claw their way ahead after halftime, leaving Stony Brook trailing 42-38 as the game entered the fourth quarter. Stony Brook played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 11 points in the paint.

Stony Brook could not pull any closer in the fourth, as Gonzalez dominated with a nine-point performance, but the Seawolves would fall, 64-55 to Fordham as they continue their nonconference slate.

“Tough one for us today,” noted head coach Joy McCorvey postgame. “This was a big stretch playing three games in seven days with a limited number of players. I wasn’t particularly happy with our defense late in the third and fourth and our effort to finish plays and secure stops. I thought we fought hard but ran out of gas down the stretch. We will continue to work through our turnovers, learn and grow through how to get over the hump in close games. We will take the week to work on us and hopefully get a few more players back healthy.” 

The team ships up to Boston next weekend as they take on Holy Cross on Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. This will only be the second meeting between the Seawolves and Crusaders after a 68-55 Stony Brook victory last season. Coverage is set to be available on ESPN+.