BY TOM SEIPP, MANAGING EDITOR.
Jaren Holmes must love playing afternoon games on Wednesday’s.
After finishing with a career-best 38 last week, Holmes finished with 26 in Wednesday’s win at Fordham (1-4, 1-4), 68-54.
The Bonnies had six days off in-between games thanks to a George Washignton COVID-19 pause, but it didn’t seem like it affected them. In the opening 20 minutes, the Bonnies shot 46.7% from the field and knocked down three shots from beyond the arch. Holmes didn’t miss a beat either, as his 17 points at halftime led all scorers.
It was Fordham’s hot shooting that kept them in the game in the first half, as the Rams hit seven threes in the opening half.
But, it was the Bonnies defensive effort for the second consecutive game that helped them to their second half surge that led to a double-digit win.
In the second half, Fordham made just six field goals, as they shot 27.3% from the field. On 13 attempts, the Rams made just two three pointers. The only hole in the Bonnies defense were the Rams forwards, as Joel Soriano finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds going head-to-head against Osun Osunniyi
The Bonnies were also able to limit their turnovers, which has been an issue in recent games. Over the final 20 minutes, they only turned the ball over three times.
The Bonnies were eventually able to pull away in the second half, as they finished the game on a 12-3 run to break the game open.
Rebounding was another big key for the Bonnies in this one, as they were able to out-rebound Fordham 43-24. Dominick Welch grabbed 14 rebounds, five which were offensive.
The Bonnies were down Anthony Roberts, who wasn’t with the team for an undisclosed reason. But, even with the lack of depth and signs of lack of fatigue, the Bonnies were able to finish strongly.
Four of the Bonnie starters played over 34 minutes, with Jalen Adaway’s 30 being the fewest of the group. Holmes, Welch, Osunniyi and Kyle Lofton played the entire 20 minutes in the second half.
Holmes made another tremendous impact on the floor for the Bonnies, as he had a plus/minus of +19 in 36 minutes of play. He was efficient yet again, shooting 10-for-16 from the field and 5-for-7 from beyond the arch.
Lofton sat the final six minutes of the first half after a technical foul was called on him, but he finished the game with 14 points and six assists, with nine of those points coming in the second half.
The Bonnies have now won 10 straight against Fordham, and head coach Mark Schmidt improves to 17-3 all-time against Fordham.
The Bonnies are set to return to the Reilly Center Friday night, as they will host Duquesne (3-3, 2-2) at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
No coaches nor players were available for comment postgame.
