Despite losing six straight games falling to 8-20 and 2-10 in the Atlantic 10, the Lady Rams still had a chance to make the A-10 tournament. However, they would either need a win over No. 5 Xavier or a lot of luck.
The game started off almost as expected, with Xavier scoring the game's first 10 points, six of which coming from junior center Ta'Shia Phillips.
Fordham also suffered a major loss early on. Senior forward Randall Hurst injured her knee four minutes into the game, and was unable to return.
It turned out to be Hurst's final game in a Fordham uniform, ending her triumphant career on a sour note.
"I felt really bad for [Hurst] that she couldn't play [in the A-10 tournament] and only played four minutes against Xavier," Head Coach Cathy Andruzzi said.
However, Fordham was able to battle back. After keeping themselves in the game for the majority of the half, the Lady Rams went on a 12-4 run, capped by a three from freshman guard Arielle Collins to cut the lead to 25-22.
Fordham was able to trim the lead to as little as one, and ended up going into the half down 36-33.
The second half started with more of the same as the two teams continued to battle in a close game. However, Xavier was able to open up a nine-point lead with a 6-0 run, all coming from senior forward April Phillips.
The Lady Rams were able to get back in the game, but the Musketeers proved to be too much.
After Fordham cut the lead to three with 11 minutes left, Xavier outscored the Lady Rams 23-11 to put the game away.
Ta'Shia Phillips led the way for Xavier, scoring 25 points on 11-of-12 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Sophomore guard Becky Peters helped keep the Lady Rams in the game with 17 points.
It was clear Fordham missed Hurst, as Xavier was able to outrebound the Lady Rams 50-28 and outscore Fordham 48-13 in the paint.
However, this proved to be Fordham's lucky day. Because of tie-breakers, Rhode Island was eliminated and the season came down to a coin flip between Fordham and La Salle for the final spot in the A-10 tournament.
Fordham won the toss and got the chance to play Saint Joseph's on Friday, March 5 in the first round of the A-10 tournament.
Once again, Fordham was up against tough odds without its top player, Hurst. However, with a solid team effort, Fordham was able to take an early 22-15 lead 11 minutes into the game.
Saint Joe's was able to battle back. Sophomore guard Katie Kuester knocked down three three-point shots to tie the game at 24. The game remained close until the half when the Hawks were able to open up a late three-point lead.
SJU continued to fortify its lead early in the second half with a 7-2 run. Fordham was able stay in the game for most of the half; however, the Hawks were eventually able to pull away, closing out Fordham 76-62, ending the Fordham season.
Like Xavier, Saint Joe's was able to control the paint. The Hawks had 20 second-chance points compared to Fordham's eight, and they outrebounded the Lady Rams 45-25.
Similar to how Phillips hurt the Lady Rams against Xavier at down low, senior center Ashley Logue scored 17 to lead the way for Saint Joe's.
"Twenty second chance points hurt," Andruzzi said. "Not having depth in the post hurt us in a boxing out aspect."
Kuester was able to finish with 12 points, knocking down all four of her threes.
Peters led the way for Fordham once again, scoring 19. Junior forward Caitlin Shadbolt also contributed 11 points for the Lady Rams.
"The kids did a tremendous job considering the injuries we had," Andruzzi said.
This concludes Andruzzi's fourth season, and the team has yet to turn the program around; however, Andruzzi's job status does not appear to be on the line.
"We're assuming [Andruzzi] will be back," Executive Director of Athletics Frank McLaughlin said.
Even with the late season struggles, losing eight straight and finishing 8-22 (and 2-12 in the A-10), Andruzzi said she is optimistic about next season.
"We ended the year with key players getting time – [freshman guard Ranait] Griff, Collins, Shadbolt – and they're important for us next season," Andruzzi said. "We look to improve on things we didn't do so well and grow in other areas."
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