The Fordham men’s basketball team dropped another conference game to the George Washington University (GW) Colonials, 64-55. Despite valiant efforts by their stars, the Rams now stand 2-5 in the Atlantic 10 (A10), a grim prospect as the end of the season approaches.

The game started off with a marked lack of enthusiastic play from both sides, leading the Colonials and Rams to combine for double-digit turnovers in the first few minutes of action. Chuba Ohams, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) ’22, returned to the starting lineup coming off of an injury. The Rams hoped to make use of Ohams’ height and skill around the rim. 

Within three minutes, after multiple missed shots, the Colonials hit a three to break the deadlock. But something was off. The players crowded the referees, and complaints and nervous chatter filled the Charles E. Smith Center; fans reciprocated with confusion and glares directed at the hardwood. Soon enough, the referees revealed what had been suspected by both coaching staffs: the game ball was in fact a women’s basketball. For reference, a men’s basketball is inflated to 29.5 inches, whereas women’s basketballs are inflated to 28.5.

GW brought forth a tidal wave of offense, leaving the Rams’ defense flustered and out of position for much of the first half.

After the brief delay, GW brought forth a tidal wave of offense, leaving the Rams’ defense flustered and out of position for much of the first half. Backdoor cuts led to layups around the rim. This ballooned the Colonials’ lead to their biggest of the game. With around four minutes left in the half, GW had an 11-point advantage, 29-18.

Fordham had attempted to run much of the offense through Ohams. Unfortunately, GW was prepared, and Ohams’ recent injury did not help the situation. Double-teamed on nearly every possession, Ohams struggled, and many possessions resulted in either turnovers or poor shots.

The Fordham defense fared no better in those first 20 minutes. GW had its way through the supporting play of forward Hunter Dean, GW ’23. Meanwhile, guard James Bishop, GW ’23, led in scoring with 11 points in the first half. The shooting was equally horrendous for both teams. The Rams and Colonials tied at 36% field goal shooting.

Fordham miraculously pulled off a 9-2 run late in the second half.

Entering the second half, Fordham Head Coach Kyle Neptune prepared significant defensive adjustments. The Rams began to defend GW guards from the inbound, and soon the whole team was engaged in an effective but exhausting full-court press.

What Neptune had noticed in the first half — that the Rams were more effective on the fast break — translated directly to the floor in the second. Darius Quisenberry, GSAS ’22, had scored his only points at the halftime buzzer following an embarrassing GW backcourt violation. In the second half, he was converting multiple fast-break layups, often extending to beat the shot blocker to the backboard.

Unfortunately, with 13 minutes left, fatigue appeared to kick in. The Rams’ transition from full-court to half-court defense left lanes wide open for Bishop to slash, and inside shots were easy pickings for the Colonials’ big men.

A hustle play by Antrell Charlton, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’24, presented the Rams with multiple opportunities to score on a possession. Ohams’ threat inside was drawing GW players into the paint, leaving GW vulnerable to a long rebound by Charlton. The opportunities were wide open, but the Rams missed both a three and an interior shot. Charlton, a key rotation player for Fordham, hit only a single shot all game.

Despite this sequence, Fordham miraculously pulled off a 9-2 run late in the second half led by Kyle Rose, FCRH ’23, and Quisenberry, securing an advantage as the clock trickled away. The Colonials eventually stopped the bleeding with one of Bishop’s signature mid-range pull-ups.

The possession kept changing hands as crunch time approached, but GW was the only team that produced any offense. A collective push by the Colonials with six minutes left instantly evaporated the Rams’ five-point lead, and the game became a race against the clock. After a stretch of poor offense and defense plagued with gaps, Fordham found itself facing the uncomfortable prospect of a free-throw game.

With the losing streak at five since Daye’s departure, the Rams have some work to do to secure a competitive position in the standings.

Following a turnover on his part, Rose hit a clutch three-pointer and made it a two-possession game with two minutes left. It wasn’t enough.

Quisenberry, Rose and Ohams left it all on the court. They combined for 41 points  — 15, 13 and 13, respectively. Despite this, the game ended with GW at the foul line. 

The game turned sour very quickly for the Rams, and Neptune is going to have to make some major adjustments moving forward. The Rams tallied 14 turnovers, shooting 20-56 from the field and 8-23 from three — far from a winning performance in a highly competitive conference.

Although the program has recently lost a star in Antonio Daye Jr., the team still has certain expectations to uphold. With the losing streak at five since Daye’s departure, the Rams have some work to do to secure a competitive position in the standings.

The Rams’ next game is on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at home, facing off against the University of Rhode Island. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.