Bronx News Sports: Fordham Wins Battle of the Bronx

Bronx News Sports: Fordham Wins Battle of the Bronx: (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 27- On Tuesday night, for the 106th time, the men’s baske...

Fordham Wins Battle of the Bronx

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 27- On Tuesday night, for the 106th time, the men’s basketball teams of Fordham University (3-2) and Manhattan College (3-2) met at Draddy Gymnasium on the campus of Manhattan to achieve bragging rights by winning the Battle of the Bronx. The competitiveness that evening reflected the meaning of the rivalry to both schools. 

Of the rivalry, Fordham senior Brendan Frazier commented, “It means a lot. It has a long history. The game has been going on a long time before my time.”

The outcome of the contest was not decided until the final minute of action. A basket and a free throw by George Beamon accounted for the final advantage for the Jaspers with about two minutes remaining. The first tie of the second half and fifth of the game came with 1:39 on the clock as Fordham senior Branden Frazier netted two free throws to knot the score at 73. The senior sunk the next basket to give the Rams an advantage that they never relinquished. 

The visitors controlled the action during the early minutes and achieved the largest lead of the game, 20-9, on a 3-pointer by freshman Jon Severe. Frazier fed the ball to his teammates quite effectively at first, achieving five assists in the first nine minute. After the game, Frazier commented, “As a sophomore I felt I had to do everything, but now I feel the pressure has lifted.”

The Fordham lead lessened as the period continued but the first half ended with Manhattan trailing, 42-39. There were three major contributors to scoring the 42-Severe-22, sophomore Mandell Thomas-12 and Frazier-6. Manhattan’s major weapon, George Beamon, entering the contest with a 28 points per game average, only sunk one of nine shots from the floor in the half. 

Beamon’s effectiveness greatly improved in the second half, and Fordham’s shooting from the floor declined. A 3 by Beamon at 16:39 gave the Jaspers their first lead of the second half, 51-49. 

Despite several of Fordham’s starters playing with four fouls, the defense was sufficiently effective to protect the lead without anyone fouling out. 

Severe, with his college high, led the scoring with 30. Frazier scored 21, moving him into 19th place in career scoring at Fordham with 1,186. Thomas reached a double-double, 17 points and 11 rebounds. Travion Leonard and Ryan Rhoomes, the only bigs on the Rams at 6-6, again played effectively on defense and off the boards. 

Beamon also achieved a double-double, scoring 24 and grabbing 11 boards. Rhamel Brown had great night before fouling out late in the game. He scored 12, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked an incredible nine shots. 

After the contest ended, Coach Tom Pecora of Fordham spoke words of tribute to his team’s opponent, “They (the Jaspers) have a great balance. They’re just a good basketball team.”

The next game for each team will be at home; Manhattan will host Monmouth on December 8 and Fordham will host Furman on December 4.

Tags: Fordham, Manhattan College, Jaspers, Battle of the Bronx 

Bronx News Sports: Yanks Give to Those in Need

Bronx News Sports: Yanks Give to Those in Need: Photos courtesy of NY Yankees The New York Yankees and White Rose teamed up once again to hold their annual Thanksgiving Food V...

Yanks Give to Those in Need

Photos courtesy of NY Yankees

The New York Yankees and White Rose teamed up once again to hold their annual Thanksgiving Food Voucher Giveaway on November 21, at Yankee Stadium. Bronx residents were invited to come to Yankee Stadium and pick up a food voucher, which can be redeemed at a local Met Food market or Pioneer Supermarket (while supplies last). 

Tags: Yankees, Vouchers, Turkeys, Thanksgiving

Bronx News Sports: Maritime Falls To RIT On Final Day Of Admiral’s Cl...

Bronx News Sports: Maritime Falls To RIT On Final Day Of Admiral’s Cl...: The Maritime basketball team lost to RIT, 95-54, Saturday afternoon on the second and final day of the First Annual Admiral’s Classic h...

Maritime Falls To RIT On Final Day Of Admiral’s Classic

The Maritime basketball team lost to RIT, 95-54, Saturday afternoon on the second and final day of the First Annual Admiral’s Classic hosted by the Privateers at the Riesenberg Hall Gym. The Privateers fall to and even 1-1 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 2-0.

Three players scored in double figures for Maritime, led by junior Sean Corley (Harlem, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy), who registered 19 points, while also leading all players with five assists and matching the game-high with seven rebounds. Junior T’Vaughn Gibson (Freeport, Bahamas/Sunland Baptist Academy) added 16 points and freshman Kevin Heine (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) recorded 11 points.

The Tigers shot an impressive 57.4-percent from the field (31-for-54), while holding the Privateers to just a 37.0-precent clip (20-for-54). RIT also scored 22 points off of Maritime’s 16 turnovers and the Privateers only cashed in for 12 points off of 10 Tiger turnovers. The score was 56-24 in favor of RIT after one half of play.

Sophomore big man J.P. Reagan led the Tigers with a game-high 20 points and brought down seven boards. Three other players had double-digit scoring days: freshman Mitch Herman (13 points), Gabe Nicasio (11 points) and Miguel Lopez (10 points). Sophomore Kamron Davis recorded nine points and seven rebounds.

The Privateers will return to action on Nov. 23, for a road game at Morrisville St. College. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Mustangs’ Stewart Center.

Tags: Maritime College, Basketball

Bronx News Sports: Evander Mauls Smith

Bronx News Sports: Evander Mauls Smith: (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Gary Quintal A tight first half turned into a runaway Sunday afternoon in PSAL playoff football a...

Evander Mauls Smith

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Gary Quintal

A tight first half turned into a runaway Sunday afternoon in PSAL playoff football action.  

Alfred E Smith entered the contest as the Number 1 seed in the Cup Division hosting the Evander Childs Tigers with the winner heading to final at Springfield Gardens Campus in Queens.  

The first half saw Evander take a 7-0 second quarter lead on a quarterback keeper near the goal-line. The second half looked promising for Smith as they gained possession on a fumbled kickoff return, putting them at mid field to start the third quarter.  

Smith followed up with a long run putting them inside the 5 yard line, setting them up for a potential game tying score but an interception off of a deflected pass spelled the beginning of the end for the Warriors.  

Evander scored 21 unanswered points capped by a fourth quarter interception return. A late touchdown return by Smith kept Evander from ensuring a shutout. The 35-8 victory now puts Evander in the title game taking on George Washington Sunday November 24th.

Tags: Evander Childs Tigers, Alfred E Smith, PSAL Football

Bronx News Sports: Monroe honors vets during home opener

Bronx News Sports: Monroe honors vets during home opener: By Gary Axelbank BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18-  The Monroe Mustangs men's basketball team opened the annual  Mustangs Winter ...

Bronx News Sports: Monroe honors vets during home opener

Bronx News Sports: Monroe honors vets during home opener: By Gary Axelbank BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18-  The Monroe Mustangs men's basketball team opened the annual  Mustangs Winter ...

Monroe honors vets during home opener

By Gary Axelbank

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- The Monroe Mustangs men's basketball team opened the annual  Mustangs Winter Tip Off with gifts for America's Purple Heart heroes. And then they went out and painted the MAC (Monroe Athletic Complex) royal blue and gold, getting two wins. On Saturday they defeated Frederick CC (Frederick, MD) 88-50 and followed it up with a 77-66 defeat of Monroe CC (Rochester, NY) on Sunday. Monroe is now 4-0 on the season.

"Hustle and team play, that's what's going to do it for us this season," said Coach Jeff Brustad, "and that's what you saw this weekend. Lots of cogs were working on Saturday and then against MCC on Sunday, when we got down we didn't panic.  Everyone chipped in and we fought back for the win."

Saturday was Veterans Appreciation Day at the MAC and the Mustangs held a stirring ceremony before their game honoring the Monroe chapter of the SVA (Student Veterans Association), the military order of the Purple Heart - Chapter 21, and veterans presently residing at the FDR facility in Montrose, NY. Each vet was introduced and then the Mustangs came onto the court and gave them gift bags of Mustangs souvenirs, individually thanking them for their sacrifice.

"We're glad we won the games, but we have no doubt who the real heroes were in the gym this weekend," said Coach Brustad.  "It was our honor to be able to personally thank them."

In the game the Mustangs jumped out to a 17-0 lead right from the bat, led by 17 at the half, and never looked back. Jaelyn Johnson-Coston was on fire, shooting 7/9 from the field to amass his 16 points. Three other Mustangs were in double figures: Nehemias Morillo had 14, and Devin Martin and Arkeem Joseph had 10 each.

Sunday's game was more competitive as MCC took a 12-point lead (55-43) with 12:03 to go in the game, but the Mustangs chipped away and tied it at 65 on a couple of free throws by Martin with 3:14 left. Then three-pointers at the 2:55 mark by  Carlos De Jesus and Morillo with 2:00 left gave Monroe a lead they would not relinquish.

Monroe's attack was balanced as Johnson, Morillo, and freshman Thomas Rivera tallied 11 points each. Martin had 10.

The Mustangs have added a game to their schedule. They'll play at home against the Canaries Basketball Academy this Wednesday at 5:00pm at the MAC.

Tags: Monroe College, Basketball, Veterans

Bronx News Sports: Manhattan Jaspers Lose Home Opener to George Washi...

Bronx News Sports: Manhattan Jaspers Lose Home Opener to George Washi...: (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- The Manhattan Jaspers returned to Draddy Gym in Riverdal...

Manhattan Jaspers Lose Home Opener to George Washington, 80-74

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- The Manhattan Jaspers returned to Draddy Gym in Riverdale for the opening home game of the 2013-14 basketball season on Saturday night against the George Washington University Colonials. The two teams began the season undefeated in their first two contests.

The two met last season. In that game, the Colonials defeated the Jaspers, 67-55, due to the absence of the Jaspers’ leading player, George Beamon. Beamon missed the final 26 games of the 2012-13 season.

The 6-4 forward was in the lineup on Saturday and made a big impact, especially in the first half when he scored 20 and grabbed seven boards.

The visitors, in their first of two visits to the Bronx and their first of four to the New York metropolitan area this year, appeared comfortable early in the contest as they gained a 9-5 advantage at 16:45.

The Jaspers then showed their scoring prowess with a 22-7 scoring run that gave them their first double digit lead, 27-16, at 9:31.

The scoring remained stable for the rest of the period as the Jaspers led 39-30 at the half.

The Jaspers shot with excellent accuracy from the floor, 15 for 28, but their percentage from beyond the arc, 4 for 13, was far below their long range shooting excellence during the first two games. Another drawback that led to further problems in the second half was having drawn 12 personal fouls.

George Washington spurted to a 45-44 lead after beginning the second half with a 15-5 scoring run. With G.W. ahead, 50-49, at 12:33, Maurice Creek of the Colonials sunk two 3-pointers in the space of 23 seconds to put his team ahead by a score of 56-49.

The visitors reached their first double figure advantage, 63-53, with 8:08 left to play. The Jaspers closed the gap to two points, 72-70, with 1:10 on the clock, but were outscored 8-4 in the final minute.

Although Beamon scored 34 and grabbed nine rebounds, no other Jasper reached double figures in any category. Three players on the visitors scored in double figures, Creek led with 27, Isaiah Armwood scored 20 and Kevin Larsen achieved a double-double, 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The shooting accuracy from the floor by the Jaspers declined drastically during the second half as they only netted 8 of 29 shots. 

Manhattan committed 15 fouls in the second half. Their 27 fouls in the game gave the Colonials 13 additional attempts from the charity stripe, which gave them sufficient additional points to achieve the victory.

The taller and more athletic Colonials also controlled the boards, 43-30.

The Jaspers will return to Draddy on Tuesday night, November 26, to host Fordham in the annual Battle of the Bronx.

Tags: Manhattan, Jaspers, Basketball, George Washington

Bronx News Sports: Football Suffers First Loss of Season

Bronx News Sports: Football Suffers First Loss of Season: Rams can’t overcome five turnovers, fall, 27-14, at Lafayette BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- It was a game of lots of little missed o...

Football Suffers First Loss of Season

Rams can’t overcome five turnovers, fall, 27-14, at Lafayette

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18- It was a game of lots of little missed opportunities that resulted in a big missed opportunity for the Fordham football Rams, the opportunity to go undefeated for just the third time in school history. The Rams turned the ball over five times and never seemed to be able to get on track, falling to Lafayette College, 27-14, in Fisher Stadium.

The loss for the Rams, who entered the game ranked fifth in the NCAA FCS, drops Fordham to 10-1 on the year while Lafayette improves to 4-6.

Playing without the services of injured quarterback Mike Nebrich, the Fordham offense went through stops and starts, seeming to pick up big yardage on some plays but having the play called back by costly penalties, as the Rams were held to a season-low 14 points.

The defense also came up with some big plays, intercepting the Lafayette quarterback four times, but could not come up with the big stops when needed, allowing the Leopards to convert on six of 14 third downs.

Things looked good for the Rams at the start as Fordham took the opening kickoff and drove to the Lafayette 26, thanks to a 20-yard rush from Carlton Koonce on the first play and a 30-yard completion from Peter Maetzold to Brian Wetzel two plays later. Facing a fourth-and-one at the Lafayette 26, Koonce took the ball around the right side and picked up the first down but the Rams were called for holding and had to settle for a 47-yard Marando field goal attempt which went wide left.

The Leopards used the momentum of the missed opportunity and moved to the Fordham 13 where Brett Biestek rushed Lafayette quarterback Drew Reed on third down, causing an incompletion, but  Ryan Gralish kicked a 30-yard field goal to give Lafayette a 3-0 lead with 9:24 left in the first.

The Rams again moved the ball to midfield on the ensuing possession but Wetzel fumbled after hauling in a pass and the ball was recovered by the Leopards.

It took one play for Lafayette to capitalize on the miscue as Reed connected with Mark Ross with a 49-yard scoring strike to boost the Lafayette lead to 10-0 with 8:03 on the clock. 

The Leopards threatened early in the second quarter with a first and goal at the two but Stephen Hodge intercepted Reed in the end zone to thwart the treat.

The offense seemed to feed off the momentum, moving 80 yards on eight plays with Maetzold finding Wetzel on a screen pass that Wetzel brought 34 yards to the end zone to get Fordham on the board with 10:38 left in the second.

The Rams picked off Reed again on the next possession when Jordan Chapman was able to grab the ball while lying on the ground on the Fordham 21.

Koonce appeared to pick up 21 yards on the first play from scrimmage but the Rams were called for holding and, two plays later, DeOliver Davis picked off a tipped pass for Lafayette on the Fordham 33.

Lafayette turned the interception into points as Ross Scheuerman took it in from the two five plays later to put the Leopards up 17-7 with 5:34 left in the half.

Fordham used a 42-yard completion from Maetzold to Wetzel on the second play of the ensuing drive to move into Lafayette territory but two plays later, Maetzold was picked off by Lafayette’s Matt Smalley on the Lafayette 28.

The Leopards moved to the Fordham 24 on the first series of the second half but Jake Rodriques stepped in front of a Reed pass on the Fordham 15 and he returned it to the Fordham 28. But the Rams again couldn’t take advantage of the turnover, going three-and-out on offense.

The game remained 17-7 until Lafayette took over on its own 23 following a Fordham punt with 4:39 left in the third. The Leopards kept it on the ground for most of the drive, gaining 68 of the 77 yards on the ground, capped by a two-yard scoring run from Scheuerman as Lafayette increased its lead to 24-7 with 2:06 left in the period.

Early in the fourth, the Leopards intercepted Maetzold on the Fordham 44 and the Leopards moved to the eleven where Gralish connected on a 29-yard field goal to give Lafayette a 27-7 lead with 8:19 remaining.

Later in the quarter Ian Williams outjumped Ross and came down with an interaction for Fordham on the Rams’ 20. Maetzold moved the offense down to the Lafayette 13 where he connected with Wetzel for their second scoring strike of the game as the Rams pulled to within 13, 27-14, with 2:07 on the clock.

The Rams attempted an onside kick following the score but were called for illegally touching the ball and Lafayette was able to run out the clock.

Maetzold completed 22 of 39 passes for 305 yards and two scores, his second straight 300-yard passing game, with Wetzel catching eight of the passes for 149 yards and Tebucky Jones making five receptions for 54 yards. Koonce gained 92 yards on 17 carries.

Defensively, Hodge led the Rams with nine total tackles, eight solo, and he intercepted a pass while Levon Williams, Ian Williams and Jake Dixon each finished with seven stops.

The Rams close out the regular season next Saturday, November 23, with a trip to Hamilton, N.Y., to face the Colgate University Raiders in Andy Kerr Stadium at 1:00 p.m.

Tags: Fordham, Rams, Football, First Loss

Bronx News Sports: Monroe gets dual District titles

Bronx News Sports: Monroe gets dual District titles: Women's volleyball and soccer defeat CCRI;  Nationals are next By Gary Axelbank BRONX, NEW YORK, November 13- With the...

Monroe gets dual District titles

Women's volleyball and soccer defeat CCRI; 

Nationals are next

By Gary Axelbank

BRONX, NEW YORK, November 13- With the score 2-1 and Monroe leading CCRI with just 10 minutes left in a competitive and tense women's soccer District final, the doors of the CCRI athletic center burst open and out came a shouting, smiling, and cheering Monroe Mustangs women's volleyball team hoisting their just-won District Championship trophy aloft. They proceeded to fill the sideline in support of their compatriots on the field.

Ultimately the Mustangs' lead held and when the final gun sounded, on the field were two very happy, nationally-ranked Monroe teams of female student athletes in common celebration of realized goals: District championships and upcoming trips to national tournaments. That they were reached just minutes apart against the same school in the same location – against CCRI on their campus in Lincoln, RI - only made the celebration that much more harmonious.

"We are very proud of our athletic program," said Athletic Director Bert Shillingford. "This is the kind of day you dream about: two District championships won just minutes apart and the student athletes celebrating together. We have incredible coaches and teams that seem to keep getting better and better.  Right now, I have a lot of work to do because two Monroe teams are traveling to national tournaments!"

Bronx News Sports: Jaspers Edge Columbia in Final Second

Bronx News Sports: Jaspers Edge Columbia in Final Second: BRONX, NEW YORK, November 13- The first two games of the season already have the feel of March Madness for the Manhattan Jaspers. ...

Jaspers Edge Columbia in Final Second

BRONX, NEW YORK, November 13- The first two games of the season already have the feel of March Madness for the Manhattan Jaspers.

On Saturday, Manhattan defeated La Salle in double overtime and on Tuesday, the Jaspers pulled out a 71-70 victory at Columbia, scoring four points in the final four seconds for the win.

Trailing 70-67 with the clock winding down, Michael Alvarado pump-faked behind the three-point line to draw a foul and go to the free throw line for three shots with 4.0 seconds remaining in the game. Alvarado missed the first and made the second, prompting a Manhattan timeout.

After Alvarado intentionally missed the third free throw, the carom bounced to Emmy Andujar on the left side, who just missed an off-balance attempt to tie the game. But on the weak side was George Beamon, who banked in the follow-up attempt and drew a foul as the buzzer sounded.

The officials went to the reply monitor to confirm the made basket, sending Beamon to the line to complete the three-point play with 0.5 seconds showing on the clock and the score tied at 70-70. Beamon had made 12 of his 13 free throws already in the game and calmly sank his 13th of the game to give Manhattan a one-point advantage.

With half a second still remaining, Columbia's full-court inbounds pass was deflected by Emmy Andujar in the Columbia end. The Lions still had a chance with 0.3 seconds on the clock and ran an out of bounds play for freshman Luke Petrasek cutting toward the hoop. Petrasek got a hand on the inbounds pass from Isaac Cohen but his shot attempt glanced off the rim, sending the Jaspers' bench into a fit of jubilation for the second straight road contest.

Beamon poured in 28 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, including all three three-pointers he attempted. Shane Richards matched his career-high with 19 points, making six of eight triples in the game.

Grant Mullins had 23 points to lead Columbia, including 21 in the second half.

Now 2-0 for the first time in four seasons, the Jaspers will take on George Washington in their home opener at Draddy Gymnasium on Saturday, November 16 at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the game are available online or by calling 718-862-7795.

Bronx News Sports: Fordham Finishes Homestand Undefeated

Bronx News Sports: Fordham Finishes Homestand Undefeated: Photos by Gary Quintal By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 11- Before the final game of the regular season played at ...

Fordham Finishes Homestand Undefeated

Photos by Gary Quintal

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 11- Before the final game of the regular season played at Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx, the college tradition of honoring the home team’s seniors was held. Two of the 17 seniors, Carlton Koonce and Ian Williams, played major roles in the nail biting victory of the 6/7 nationally ranked Fordham Rams (10-0) over the Bucknell Bison (4-5). The win kept Fordham’s undefeated season record intact.

For both team’s turnovers were crucial to the outcome. Four Fordham fumbles were forced and recovered and one pass intercepted by Bucknell defenders. The leading rusher of the Rams, Carlton Koonce, who led Fordham with 84 yards on the ground, put the turnovers in perspective, “It’s unrealistic to think every play is going to be perfect.”

After the game concluded, Fordham coach Joe Moorhead gave credit to his usually less heralded players, “The defense and special teams went lights out.” The coach had good reason for his words of praise.

Four Bucknell drives were halted by the effective play of the Fordham defense, three by pass interceptions and one by a recovered fumble. Two of the passes were picked off by Jordan Chapman and one by Ian Williams. Each of the two cornerbacks also had six tackles and combined on final play of the game, which saved the Fordham victory.

Fordham was ahead, 23-21, with 48 seconds remaining on the clock as Bucknell began its final drive which started after a fumble by Rams quarterback Peter Maetzold was recovered on the Fordham 33. The Bison moved the ball to the Fordham 20. With two seconds left in the game, Bucknell’s David Maurer entered the game to attempt to kick a 37-yard field goal, which if successful would have given Bucknell a 24-23 upset win. Chapman and Williams rose up to block the field goal attempt.

In a post-game press conference, Moorhead explained his team’s effort on that play and throughout the game, “We play every play as if it’s the last play of the game. We just absolutely dug in our heels.”

On the other hand, Fordham’s special team’s place kicker Michael Marando, this season’s leading scorer on the team added 11 points to raise his season total to 93, first place in Patriot League scoring. Although he did not see action last year, the junior has been instrumental in Fordham’s undefeated season in 2013. He was successful in all three field goal and both extra point attempts on Saturday. Marando’s two field goals were the only points scored in the final quarter.

A huge part of the day’s story was that of Fordham’s quarterbacks, Michael Nebrich and Peter Maetzold. Nebrich, a five time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week this year, left the contest after he suffered a knee injury late in the first quarter.

He was replaced by Maetzold, who only threw two passes this year. Although, he, like Nebrich, only saw action in three games in 2012, he played in seven games as a freshman in 2011. The junior explained his feelings, “I know what it’s like to play in the Patriot League against big teams. After a couple of plays under your belt, it’s just playing football again.” Maetzold did what was hoped by completing 21 of 35 passes for 318 yards.

Moorhead, an outstanding former Fordham quarterback assessed both men very positively. Of Nebrich, he commented, “If you evaluate his body of work, he’s on the Walter Payton Watch List [best player in the FCS] for a reason.” He remarked of Maetzold, “We have the utmost confidence in him. He’s a tremendous player, very smart, cerebral.”

Fordham goes on the road for its final two contests, November 16 at Latfayette and November 23 Colgate. If successful in those games, it is likely that Fordham will host a FCS playoff contest at Jack Coffey Field.

Bronx News Sports: Fordham Basketball Opens with Wins

Bronx News Sports: Fordham Basketball Opens with Wins: Fordham University Men’s and Women’s Hoopsters Win on First Day of 2013-14 Season Photos by Gary Quintal By Howard Goldin BRON...

Fordham Basketball Opens with Wins

Fordham University Men’s and Women’s Hoopsters Win on First Day of 2013-14 Season

Photos by Gary Quintal

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 11- The first games of the 2013-14 college basketball season were played last Friday throughout the nation. In the Bronx, the men’s and women’s teams of Fordham University were both victorious in a Friday night doubleheader at the Rose Hill Gym.

The University of San Francisco Dons travelled 3,000 miles to drop its opening game, 80-66, to Fordham. In the second game, the Fordham men crushed the St. Francis University Red Flash, 87-67.

The visitors from California showed no ill effects from their cross country journey early in the contest as they took an eight point advantage with 11:47 remaining in the half. The Rams then scored nine unanswered points to take a 21-20 lead.

The half ended with Fordham ahead by nine points, 47-38. The first 20 minutes were closer than the lead appeared as there were three ties and six lead changes. Fordham controlled the boards with 26 rebounds to 11 for the Dons, which led the Rams to 15 second chance points to four for the Dons. The visitors led the Rams 11-0 in points off turnovers.

The top scorer of the first half was Hannah Missry. The New Jersey native continued her 3-point excellence from high school as she netted 4 for 8 from the perimeter to score 14 for the half.

The Rams quickly moved to a double digit lead in the second half. A three by Erin Rooney at 8:19 gave Fordham a game high advantage of 18 (67-49). They coasted to the victory.

Fordham senior Abigail Corning led the game in points with 22, 14 in the second half. Rooney achieved a double-double, 19 points and 10 boards. Missry finished with 14 and another Jersey freshman, Danielle Padavano, scored 10.

After two games on the road, the Rams will return to the Bronx to face University of the Pacific on Sunday afternoon, November 17.

Thirty minutes after the women’s contest concluded, the men tipped-off. As in the opening contest, the two teams competed evenly during the early minutes. The score was tied at 19 with 8:57 left in the first half. The Rams scored 17 straight points to gain the ninth lead change of the half and a double figure advantage that was never overturned. The half ended with Fordham leading, 45-27. Mandell Thomas paced the Rams with 13 points and six boards.

Fordham started the second half with a 12-4 scoring run to increase its advantage to 26 (57-31) at 16:24. The Rams were never challenged as their lead only dropped below 20 once in the final 18 minutes. Fordham coach Tom Pecora commented on the late game surge, “We decided to bear down, especially in the second half.

Freshman Jon Severe, New York State’s Mr. Basketball as a senior last year at Christ the King high school, led all scorers with 28 points, a Fordham mark for the first game of a college freshman. Severe was especially accurate from long range, netting 7 of 12 from 3-point range.

Seniors Bryan Smith (18) and Brandon Frazier (10) also scored in double figures. Pecora praised the two, “Great support and leadership from Bryan and Brandon.” Of Smith’s 7 for 14 shooting, Pecora remarked, “Bryan’s an exceptional shooter.”

Pecora although pleased with the result, warned his players and the team’s rooters against being overconfident, “It’s very good for us to come out of the gate like this. Every night is not going to be like this, but we hope many are.”

After a road contest at Syracuse, The Rams return home on Friday, November 15 to play Lehigh.  

Bronx News Sports: Can Fordham Be Stopped?

Bronx News Sports: Can Fordham Be Stopped?: By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 6- On Saturday, the 8/9 nationally ranked Fordham Rams (9-0) gifted head coach Joe Mo...

Can Fordham Be Stopped?

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 6- On Saturday, the 8/9 nationally ranked Fordham Rams (9-0) gifted head coach Joe Moorhead with a come-from-behind 32-30 victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders (3-7) for his 40^th birthday. Fordham extended its undefeated season to nine games and earned the school the Ram-Crusader Cup, which is awarded to the winner of each contest between the two.

The capacity crowd at Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx was given a jolt early in the game as it appeared Fordham could lose its first game of the 2013 season. Fordham’s first scoring attempt, a 22-yard field goal by Michael Marando, was unsuccessful at 8:20 of the first quarter.

On the next drive of the contest, the Crusaders moved the ball 80 yards for the first score as quarterback Peter Pujals ran the ball for five yards and a touchdown. The extra point was missed.

Fordham took its first lead of the game on the next series of downs as Calvin Koonce, the team’s leading rusher, scored on an 11-yard carry. Fordham led, 7-6, at the end of the quarter.

The outcome looked bleak as the Crusaders scored the next 17 points. The first of those points was scored on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Pujals to Kyle Toulouse.

A 52-yard complete pass from Fordham quarterback Michael Nebrich to Tebucky Jones did not result in a touchdown as a fumble was forced and recovered by Holy Cross on its one yard line. 

After the contest, Jones remarked, “I made a mistake; that’s not acceptable. That’s not going to happen again.” 

It didn’t on Saturday as Jones completed the game with 120 yards on six receptions. Jones has 59 receptions and 789 yards this year. The Crusader possession following the fumble ended with a 46 yard field goal kicked by John Macomber.

Later in the second, a Nebrich pass was intercepted at the Holy Cross goal line, preventing another Fordham touchdown. The new possession by the Crusaders concluded with a Holy Cross touchdown instead, which brought the score to 23-7.

The final score of the first half was a 10-yard touchdown run by Nebrich.

Fordham exhibited its resilience in the second. After the contest, Morrhead said of his team, “In the second half, the team showed outstanding character.”

Nebrich scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a seven-yard run on Fordham’s first drive of the second half for the only score by either squad in the third quarter.

Fordham next scored seven seconds into the final period as Nebrich threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Brian Wetzel. Dan Light scored the two-point conversion to give the Rams a 29-23 advantage.

The next Fordham drive culminated in a 39-field goal by Marando.

The final Crusader touchdown shortened the Fordham lead to 32-30, but was too late to alter the outcome of the contest.

Records were set by the Rams in the victory. The team broke its single game mark for total offense with 700 yards. Nebrich broke two of John Skelton’s single game records, passing yards gained with 524 on 39 completions of 49 attempts and total offense yards with 556.

Significant contributions were also made by others. Calvin Koonce gained 146 yards on the ground and 38 on three receptions. For the second straight year, he exceeded 1,000 yards (1,025) on the ground this season.

Sam Ajala gained 189 yards on 12 receptions, the junior leads the Rams with 64 receptions and 1,140 yards gained.

Linebacker Stephen Hodge had a career-high 15 tackles, 14 unassisted and four for yards lost. Moordhead praised the junior in a post-game press conference, “He’s a playmaker. The kid knows how to play the game of football.”

The night before the game, Moorhead told his players of the Heavyweight Championship bout in 1990 between Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas in which the prohibitive favorite, Tyson, lost. Moorhead explained the purpose of the story, “I didn’t want us to be overconfident or take our opponent too lightly.” 

That possibility, the one-week bye and costly turnovers that Moorhead said, “Didn’t allow us to take advantage [of the yards we gained]” may have led to a slow start, but did not prevent Fordham from being victorious.

Fordham’s next game will be against Bucknell at 1 pm on Saturday, November 9. It will be the final home game of the regular season.