Box Score (PDF)

BRONX, N.Y. – Senior Mariah Ruff delivered 17 points and junior Arielle Harvey added 11, but the St. Bonaventure women's basketball team could not overcome the defensive attack and second half burst of host Fordham in a 72-48 setback at Rose Hill Gym Thursday night.

Fordham (16-5, 7-1 Atlantic 10) opened the game on a 10-2 run, but St. Bonaventure (7-14, 2-6) would answer.

A trey by Ruff brought the Bonnies within 17-16 with nine minutes left in the third, and the Bonnies came all the way back later in the frame as Jalisha Terry put home a layup for a 21-21 tie at the 6:27 mark.

The Rams finished the half strong, though, and ultimately took a 34-27 advantage to intermission.

Bona pulled back within 34-30 with 8:24 left in the third as three quick points from Emily Calabrese got the Bonnies back within striking distance.

Foul trouble began to take its toll, however, as both Calabrese and the returning Mckenna Maycock were forced to the bench with four fouls apiece early in the third quarter. Fordham took advantage, launching a 17-2 run to capture a 57-36 lead after three quarters.

From there, the Rams, which entered the night ranked seventh in the nation in scoring defense allowing 54 points per game, never allowed the Bonnies to get any closer.

Fordham owned a 46-23 advantage on the boards including 16 offensive rebounds that led to 32 points in the paint. For the night, the Rams shot 44 percent from the floor (27-for-61) while the Bonnies finished at a 33.3 percent clip (16-48).

"We just haven't been able to defend consistently," St. Bonaventure head coach Jesse Fleming said. "We need to play better defense and start guarding better."

Harvey had an impressive performance, fighting through several battles and collisions inside.

"She was still attacking the rim even though her shot wasn't falling," Fleming said. "She has been a warrior for us. She's a real competitor."

St. Bonaventure next travels to Pittsburgh for a Sunday afternoon date with Duquesne. The Bonnies will face the Dukes on national TV in a game aired by NBC Sports Network beginning at 4 p.m.

GAME NOTES

• Maycock played in her first game since suffering an injury Dec. 15 vs. Buffalo. At the time of the injury, she was the Bonnies leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 13.6 points and 8.4 rebounds through her first 10 games. She did not score Thursday and finished with two rebounds and an assist in 14 minutes off the bench.
• Ruff moved into 12th place all-time in Bonnies career scoring with her effort (1,266 points). She passed the 1,256 career points of Courtney Mattingly (1999-2003) with her performance Thursday night.
• Ruff also posted her 63rd career double-figure scoring game, passing Chris Agresta (1984-87) for 13th in program history.
• Freshman Emily Calabrese, playing near her native New Jersey and with many friends and family in the arena, posted 10 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes after being limited by foul trouble.

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