As the month of January comes to an end,  only one month of regular season basketball remains for Fordham’s men’s varsity team. Coach Jeff Neubauer and his team were unable to capitalize on their conference games, finishing the week with a record of overall 11-8 and a conference record of 2-6. This past week, the varsity men’s basketball team first faced off against the University of Dayton, and then the University of Rhode Island.

On Jan. 24, the Fordham Rams (overall 11-6, conference 2-4) hosted the Dayton Flyers (overall 15-3, conference 5-1) for a late afternoon matchup at the Rose Hill Gym. This matchup marked the 33rd meeting between these two teams, with the Flyers leading the all-time series 27-5. They also had won the past eleven meetings. The away team scored on six of their first nine shots and forced five Fordham turnovers to take a commanding 15-2 only 4:37 into the game. The Rams, led by Christian Sengfelder, spurted a 7-1 run to cut the score down to 16-9 with 13:13 left in the half. Coach Archie Miller and his team’s potent offense were too much as they headed into the break with a 37-24 lead. As the second half tipped off, the Flyers once again outscored the Rams extending their lead by 16 with 13:47 remaining. However, a 7-1 run by Fordham trimmed their deficit to eight, trailing 46-38. The Fordham defense was just missing in action this game as the Flyers once again were up, this time by 15. The home team surged another comeback with a 11-4 run, making it a 56-49 game with 2:32 left. The damage had been done as the Rams would lose with a final score of 64-50. On the offensive end, Fordham was led by Ryan Rhoomes, Mandell Thomas, and Jon Severe, who scored 14, 11, and 10 points respectively.

On Jan. 27, fans had the honor of witnessing the “Battle of the Rams.” Fordham (overall 11-7, conference 2-5) traveled up north to square off against the Rhode Island Rams (overall 11-8, conference 3-3). This meeting marked the 63rd matchup between these two teams with Rhode Island leading the all-time series 37-25. As the 7 p.m. game tipped off, the home team jumped to an early 9-4 lead less than four minutes into the half. Jumpers by Mandell Thomas, Joseph Chartouny, and three-pointer by David Pekárek put Fordham ahead 11-9 with 14:50 remaining in the first half. Coach Dan Hurley’s squad then scored 13 unanswered points to take a 24-13 lead. Coach Neubauer’s offense, led by Rhoomes, Severe and Thomas, fought back to cut the lead to four, making it 34-30. At the half, Rhode Island was up 39-35. Fordham started the second half on a 7-4 surge, cutting the Rhode Island lead to one, 43-42. The home team would then go on a 7-0 run, and then a 13-4 run to take a commanding 66-54 lead at the 8:23 mark. Although Fordham pulled within seven in the later stages of the last half, it was too little too late. The Rhode Island Rams went on to win 79-63. Fordham was led by Thomas, Severe and Pekárek , who all scored in double figures. Rhoomes recorded his fifth double-double of the year scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Fordham returns to the court on Saturday, Jan. 30 when they travel up north to face off against the University of Massachusetts. The game will be televised on the NBC Sports Network.