Make it five losses in a row for Fordham, as the Rams, playing in their final non-conference game before Atlantic 10 play begins this week, fell at Hampton Sunday evening, 78-54. Fordham is now 2-10 on the year, the same non-conference record from a year ago.
The Rams shot just 30.8 percent from the floor on 20-of-65 shooting from the field, while the Pirates shot 51 percent from the floor on 25-of-49 shooting. Fifteen turnovers by Fordham led to 20 points for Hampton. And, the Rams were outrebounded, 42-31. Because of foul trouble, Chris Gaston, who entered the game leading the Atlantic 10 in scoring and ranking second in rebounding, played just 15 minutes and was held to six points and five rebounds. Brenton Butler led the Rams with 21 points.
Charles Costello
Non-Conference Losses Continue to Plague Fordham
Posted by Fordham SportsNet on January 6, 2010
BY CHARLES COSTELLO
Fordham’s lack of success in the Atlantic 10 has been well documented. Since the Rams joined the conference for the 1995-96 basketball season, they’ve finished only two seasons at .500 or better. And only three times has Fordham been .500 or better in conference play. Perhaps most startling is the Rams’ poor non-conference record. In the past 15 seasons, Fordham is 71-115 in non-conference games (63-161 in conference play, 134-276 overall), including 2-10 the past two seasons. Here is a breakdown of Fordham’s non-conference record since the university became a member of the Atlantic 10:
1995-96: 2-9
1996-97: 5-6
1997-98: 4-7
1998-99: 7-4
1999-00: 7-6
2000-01: 8-5
2001-02: 4-8
2002-03: 1-11
2003-04: 3-9
2004-05: 5-8
2005-06: 7-9
2006-07: 8-6
2007-08: 6-7
2008-09: 2-10
2009-10: 2-10
Through this past Sunday’s games, Fordham’s non-conference opponents this year had a combined record of 85-70. Losses to Hampton (3-10) and Hartford (2-11) may hurt, but you have to consider that eight of Fordham’s non-conference opponents had .500 or better records, including St. John’s (10-4) and nationally-ranked Villanova (12-1). With that said, there are games on the schedule that you’d like to win regardless of your opponent’s record. Maine and Kennesaw State immediately come to mind.
Given the team’s struggles in November and December, it’s no wonder that Fordham has finished at .500 or better overall only twice since the 1991-92 season.
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