Fordham University’s Rams put five players in double figures and built a 19-point first-half lead en route to an 87-72 victory over the University of Maine on Sunday afternoon at the Rose Hill Gym in the Bronx.
Both teams are now 6-5.
The Rams, winners of three straight, built a 33-14 lead to start the game thanks to 13-for-28 shooting from the floor while the Black Bears were only 6-for-24.
Junior forward Romad Dean and senior guard Jackie Johnson III shared the team scoring honors with 16 apiece for Fordham.
Dean had nine points during the 33-14 start and Johnson had seven.
The Black Bears climbed back into the game thanks to a 23-11 spurt spanning the end of the first half and start of the second half that shaved the lead to 44-37.
UMaine was still within striking distance trailing 50-42 but the Rams put the game away with an 11-0 run featuring seven points by Dean.
Johnson had three rebounds and six assists to go with his 16 points and Dean had five rebounds and four steals to accompany his 16 points.
Graduate student forward Abdou Tsimbila had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots; junior forward Josh Rivera produced 10 points and seven rebounds; and graduate student forward Matt Zona chipped in with 10 points and four rebounds.
Senior guard A.J. Lopez poured in a game-high and career-high 24 points for the Black Bears. He also hauled in four rebounds.
Junior forward Keelan Steele was the only other Black Bear in double figures with 10 points. He also had five rebounds and two steals.
Senior forward Christopher Mantis had eight points and five rebounds; junior forward Killian Gribben contributed eight points and two rebounds; and senior guard Quion Burns collected seven points, four rebounds and two assists.
Junior guard Jaden Clayton had four points, five rebounds and five assists.
Fordham shot 50.8 percent from the floor and 47.4 percent beyond the 3-point arc compared with UMaine’s 39.4 percent and 25 percent, respectively.
Fordham outrebounded UMaine 44-32 and had an 18-4 edge in second-chance points.
UMaine will travel to Pittsburgh to take on Duquesne University on Wednesday at 7 p.m. while Fordham visits Bryant for a 2:30 p.m. game on Saturday.
