There would be no late start this time for the Fordham Rams, as they snap their four-game losing streak to close out 2019. The Rams ended the year on a positive note, defeating the Coppin State Eagles at home [Rose Hill Gymnasium] by a score of 62-56 last Monday night. With the victory, the Rams are now playing .500 ball [in non-conference play] at 6-6.
“Yes, Tyrone [Perry] had a lot to do with it. Tyrone came out firing, and we are really happy for him,” said Fordham Rams Head Coach Jeff Neubauer. “This is his sophomore year. He has had some good games, but he really got us going early. I think he deserves a lot of the credit.”
Rams sophomore guard, Jalen Cobb matched a career high with 21 points, while making 11 out of 13 free throws in the process [Some of which were made at crucial points during the game].
The Rams outscored the Eagles by a total of 14 points at the conclusion of the first half. The Rams finished the initial period with a rare 39 points [a season high].
Cobb’s sophomore teammate, Ty Perry contributed 18 points. Perry completed a four-point play towards the end of the first half. Forward Chuba Ohams finished the game with a double-double [10 points/10 rebounds]. And lastly, center Onyi Eyisi came up big on the glass, as well as on the defensive end. Eyisi grabbed 11 boards and blocked three shots.
With a seven-footer on the Eagles roster, Brenden Medley-Bacon, [prior to starting competition in the A10], the Eagles are probably the biggest physically team that the Rams have faced. Some of the matchups posed a lot of difficulty for the Rams, especially the matchup between guards Josh Colon Fordham and Eagles leading scorer Kamar McKnight.
“Yeah, they [Eagles] have bigger guards, they have bigger players,” Neubauer said. “For example, in their last game they started the game by posting up the point guard on the other team. Obviously, having a seven-footer adds a lot to their dynamic and they really take advantage of their personnel. So, they got bigger players and they really just funnel the ball to their seven-footer and it’s hard to attack.”
With 5:01 left to go in the second half, junior guard Koby Thomas helped the Eagles cut the Ram’s lead to three points [54-51] after completing a three-point play. Thomas finished the game with a double-double [14 points/11 rebounds. Dejuan Clayton had 13 points as well. And although graduate student Andrew Robinson, [who finished the game with 15 points], was able to cut the lead down to two, after netting a three-pointer [56-54], the Rams kept their composure remaining unfazed. The Rams came up big on the defensive end to close the game.
With the loss, the Eagles have now dropped to 4-11, while extending their slump to five in a row. The Eagles are scheduled to play South Carolina State at home this Saturday [Baltimore, Maryland].
As for the Rams, they play Virginia Commonwealth University [on the road] next, this Thursday. This will mark the Rams first matchup in the Atlantic 10 conference this season.
So, what can we expect from the Rams moving forward?
What’s the approach?
“The best thing to do is simply focus on the present moment,” Neubauer said. “What I mean by that is, Onyi Eyisi really saved the day for our team today. We can look at Onyi and see his basket protection, blocked shots and his rebounding down the stretch. He went to the free throw line and made three free throws. So, from Onyi’s perspective, he should feel really good. Jalen Cobb went to the free throw line, made 11 free throws. He should feel really good about what he did for his team. Obviously, Tyrone got us off to a great start. So, each of those individuals, based on what just happened tonight, they feel really good about their performance. They’re other guys on the roster that are hoping to help the team more. So, we are all in different spots I think.”
Rams senior guard Antwon Portley will sit out against VCU due to a leg injury, as was told to NYSportsday.com by Neubauer.