NEW YORK (Interstat) — Fordham used a dominant defensive performance and a commanding advantage on the glass to pull away from Saint Peter’s for a 70-56 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game Monday night at a sparsely attended Rose Hill Gym.

In a contest defined by offensive struggles, the Rams leveraged their size and athleticism to overcome their own shooting woes, securing their second win of the young season while handing the Peacocks their second consecutive loss.

The game remained competitive through three quarters, with Fordham holding a narrow 50-46 lead heading into the final period. However, the Rams opened the fourth quarter on a decisive 15-2 run, fueled by their defense and second-chance opportunities, to put the game out of reach. Saint Peter’s managed just six points in the final quarter, going scoreless for nearly six minutes during Fordham’s game-clinching surge.

The Rams’ victory was built on a foundation of relentless rebounding and defensive pressure. Fordham hauled in 22 offensive rebounds, leading to a 22-5 advantage in second-chance points and a 32-20 edge in points in the paint. Defensively, the Rams forced 19 Saint Peter’s turnovers, converting them into 22 points, while also recording 14 steals and four blocked shots.

Alexis Black led all Fordham scorers with 20 points, showcasing an efficient all-around game by adding five assists. Her backcourt mate, Carryn Easley, provided a crucial spark off the bench, chipping in 10 points. The Rams’ frontcourt controlled the interior, with Ugne Sirtautaite narrowly missing a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, and Maysen Hill contributing eight points, five rebounds, and three blocks.

Despite the loss, Saint Peter’s was carried by a pair of standout individual efforts. Carys Roy, a 6-foot-3 forward from Cowbridge, Germany, poured in a team-high 19 points and grabbed five rebounds. De’Naya Rippey, a guard from Brooklyn, New York, was a force on the boards, compiling a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm from the field. Fordham shot just 36 percent, connecting on 27 of 74 attempts, while Saint Peter’s was slightly more efficient but took far fewer shots, finishing 17 of 48 for 35 percent. The three-point line offered little respite, with the Rams making 7 of 27 and the Peacocks hitting 5 of 20. Free throw shooting was also a collective struggle, with Fordham making 9 of 21 and Saint Peter’s converting 17 of 28.

The game began at a sluggish offensive pace, with Fordham taking a 14-12 lead after the first quarter. The Peacocks found their footing in the second period, outscoring the Rams 19-17 to narrow the halftime deficit to 31-30. The teams traded baskets throughout a tightly contested third quarter, which Fordham won 19-16, setting the stage for their fourth-quarter explosion.

With the win, Fordham improves its record to 2-1. The Rams will look to build on this momentum when they host Stony Brook on Wednesday. Saint Peter’s falls to 0-2 and will seek its first win of the season on the road at Lafayette on Thursday.