NEW YORK (Interstat) — DeJour Reaves scored 21 points to lead Fordham to a 63-59 victory over Davidson in an Atlantic 10 men’s basketball game Saturday at Rose Hill Gym. The Rams avenged a January loss to the Wildcats. Fordham improved to 16-12 overall, while Davidson fell to 16-11. Reaves, a junior guard from Syracuse, New York, was the game’s high scorer. Rikus Schulte added 9 points and 9 rebounds for Fordham. Roberts Blums led Davidson with 16 points. The game was a defensive struggle, with the combined score falling well below the pregame over/under line. Fordham’s next game is at VCU on Feb. 28. Davidson plays at Duquesne on Feb. 25.

NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive struggle defined by missed opportunities at the foul line, Fordham held off Davidson 63-59 in an Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Rose Hill Gym. The Rams, who avenged a five-point loss to the Wildcats just a month prior, improved to 16-12 overall. Davidson fell to 16-11. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute with Fordham clinging to a 60-58 lead. Davidson’ Parker Friedrichsen was fouled on a three-point attempt with 37 seconds remaining and calmly sank all three free throws to put the Wildcats ahead 61-60. On the ensuing possession, Fordham’s DeJour Reaves drew a foul and hit both of his free throws with 22 seconds left to reclaim a 62-61 advantage for the Rams. Davidson had a chance to take the lead, but Roberts Blums missed a layup with 30 seconds to go. Reaves secured the defensive rebound, was fouled again, and made one of two free throws to extend Fordham’s lead to 63-61 with 12 seconds left. Davidson’s final possession ended with a missed three-pointer by Hunter Adam, and a final free throw by Christian Henry provided the final margin. The game’s outcome was heavily influenced by stark disparities at the free throw line and in ball security. Davidson shot a catastrophic 5 for 16 from the charity stripe, leaving a crucial 11 points off the board in a four-point loss. Fordham, while not stellar, capitalized more effectively, making 18 of 28 attempts. Fordham’s defense also forced Davidson into a disjointed offensive performance. The Rams recorded 10 steals and caused 13 Wildcats turnovers, converting them into 14 points. Davidson managed only two assists against those 13 turnovers, highlighting their offensive struggles. Conversely, Fordham committed just nine turnovers and dished out 10 assists. DeJour Reaves led all scorers with 21 points for Fordham, adding four rebounds and two assists. His clutch free throws in the final minute sealed the victory. Christian Henry facilitated the offense with 11 points and six assists, while Rikus Schulte anchored the interior with nine points, nine rebounds and three assists. Davidson was led by Roberts Blums, who scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds. Parker Friedrichsen added 13 points, all from beyond the arc or the foul line. The Wildcats shot a respectable 44% from the field and 45% from three-point range but were ultimately undone by their inability to convert free points and take care of the basketball. Fordham built a 29-27 halftime lead and maintained a narrow advantage throughout much of the second half, with Davidson never leading by more than a single possession after the break. The Rams’ efficiency on offense, scoring 63 points on just 58 possessions for an offensive rating of 108.1, outpaced Davidson’s 59 points on 60 possessions. Both teams continue conference play next week. Fordham travels to VCU on Feb. 28, while Davidson visits Duquesne on Feb. 25.

Preview: Davidson Wildcats at Fordham Rams NEW YORK (Interstat) — A pivotal Atlantic 10 Conference matchup with postseason implications is set for Saturday at Rose Hill Gym as the Fordham Rams host the Davidson Wildcats. Both teams enter the contest on winning notes, setting the stage for a tightly contested rematch. Davidson (16-10, 8-5 A-10) edged Richmond 65-63 on Wednesday behind 18 points from guard Roberts Blums. Fordham (15-12, 9-5) secured a 62-59 home victory over Loyola Chicago the same afternoon, powered by a game-high 24 points from guard DeJour Reaves. The Wildcats won the season’s first meeting 68-63 in North Carolina on Jan. 21. Securing a regular-season sweep is a key objective for Davidson as it jockeys for conference tournament positioning. Davidson’s offense will lean on the consistent production of Blums. The guard is averaging 15.1 points over his last seven games, including a 23-point, six-rebound performance in a win at Richmond on Jan. 31. His ability to score efficiently will be critical against Fordham’s defense. The Rams counter with their own dynamic guard in Reaves, who has been on a tear. He is averaging 18.3 points over his last six contests and has scored 19 or more points in four of those outings. His duel with Blums will be a central storyline. Fordham has found momentum, winning three of its last four games, including an overtime road victory at Rhode Island. Davidson has been inconsistent in February, alternating wins and losses over its past six games against A-10 competition. The Rams hold a slight advantage in the conference standings, but the Wildcats’ potent offense, which erupted for 114 points in a non-conference rout on Feb. 9, poses a significant threat. Fordham’s ability to control the tempo and defend its home court will be tested. Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday afternoon in the Bronx. The game will be broadcast on the regional sports network. Up Next: Davidson visits Duquesne on Wednesday. Fordham travels to VCU next Saturday.