Will Tavares (Image Credit: Fordham.edu)
The Fordham Rams, on Senior Day at Rose Hill Gym, finished their regular season with a 25-point defeat to VCU.
VCU, led by senior forward Justin Tillman, powered past Fordham and left the Bronx with a 83-58 win. It was the second biggest loss of the season for Fordham, they suffered a 30-point loss to Davidson in January.
Tillman led VCU with 18 points and 13 rebounds, 14 of his points came in the second half. Joseph Chartouny finished with 16 points for Fordham, Prokop Slanina added 14 points.
In the first half Fordham played with a lot of energy on both ends of the floor. The game was close for the most part until the seven-minute mark where VCU went on an 11-0 run. Sophomore guard De’Riante Jenkins scored six points, on a jumper and a four–point play, making a 3-pointer while getting fouled by Ivan Raut leading to a made free throw.
That run helped VCU gain a 15-point lead and closed out the half, 38-27. The only player for Fordham to reach double figures was Prokop Slanina who scored 10 points and 2 rebounds.
Fordham never recovered in the second half. VCU went on another 11-0 run and took control of the game from there. Jenkins, freshman forward Sean Mobley and sophomore guard Mike’l Simms each made three pointers. In the last few minutes, with the score out of reach, Fordham head coach coach Jeff Neubauer decided to bring in the rest of his seniors. For guards Thomas Sanchez and Brenton Petty it would be their last time playing at Rose Hill Gym and Neubauer wanted them to have that moment. With a little over two minutes left, Tavares was subbed out and received a nice standing ovation from the crowd.
Jenkins finished with 14 points and freshman forward Sean Mobley scored 16 points for VCU.
It’s been a tough year for Neubauer, this is the most games he’s lost as a head coach. He talked about what his team feels mentally when they give up those long scoring runs.
“We cut into leads way too many times we want to remember,” said Neubauer. “So when it happens over and over within a season it really can be disheartening.”
Tavares finished his last home game with 10 points and three rebounds. For the senior, it’s been a great learning experience for him.
“Just the ups and downs,” said Tavares when asked what he’ll remember most about Fordham. “Sticking through it and just believing in myself. In the offseason I spent countless hours just getting better and better. I believe I shocked a lot of people this year.”
What’s Next
Fordham now looks ahead to the Atlantic-10 tournament where they will be the 14th seed in Washington D.C., they’ll play 11th seeded George Washington.
The A-10 tournament starts March 7th at the Capital One Arena.
