Box Score Bronx, NY—Fordham used a 23-5 during a seven-minute stretch between the end of the first half and the first five minutes of the second to pull away to a 79-60 win over Howard (2-11, 0-1) in a non-conference men's basketball game at the Rose Hill Gym.
The two teams went back and forth through the first 17-plus minutes before the Rams (6-3) closed out with a 9-2 run. Â Fordham held a 31-30 lead until Travion Leonard, Jon Severe and Brendan Frazier combined for the Rams points that opened a 40-33 halftime lead.
Fordham continued its run over the first few minutes, outscoring the Bison 13-2 to take a commanding 55-41 lead.
Most of the damage was done by Ryan Rhoomes (8 fo 10 from the field) inside and Frazier and Mandell Thomas on the outside.
"In the first half, we were able to create opportunities by getting 15 offensive rebounds," said Howard Coach
Kevin Nickelberry. Â "But in the second half, they were able to flip the script and create second chances." Â The Rams won the offensive rebounding battle, 10-5 in the second half and in second chance points, 15-4.
The Bison got a big boost from freshman James "JT" Miller, who scored a career and team-high 14 points. Â Miller, who has missed several games this season, connected on 5 of 10 from the floor. But leading scorer James "J-Bird" Daniel, who missed the last game, picked up three early first half fouls and played only 18 minutes.
"Coming off the injury hurt them in terms of a comfort zone," said Nickelberry. Â "Because of that lack of comfort, they ended up in foul trouble. We have to make sure that they stay out of foul trouble and we also have to make sure that the team is comfortable with them back in the fold."
Prince Okoroh and Solomon Magham were coming off big offensive games, but they both struggled and combined to shoot 5 of 24 from the field.
"They had an off night shooting," said Nickelberry, referring to the duo. Â "When that happened, it left a void and we were not able to make up for it. Â There are going to be nights like this, so we have to find a way to have other people step up." Â Okoroh scored seven points, seven below his average and Mangham nine after scoring a career-high 16 in the loss to UCF.
Miller added seven rebounds while Daniel managed 11, nine below his average.
The Rams were led by Rhoomes with 19, Frazier and Thomas with 15 each and Severe with 11.
The Bison have little time to lament the loss as they take on Delaware State on Sunday at 6 pm in the Big Apple Classic at the Barclays Center.
"This is a conference game, a chance to go 1-1 in the MEAC and a chance to play in a great arena," said Nickelberry. Â "Hopefully we can find the effort and put two halves together in the game against Delaware State and come away with a win."
