- Fordham's first A-10 Tournament win since 2019
- Jackie Johnson III dominates with 29 points, 5 rebounds
- Rams shoot 84% from free throw line (23/27)
- Loss eliminates Rhode Island from NCAA Tournament contention
In a shocking turn of events at Capital One Arena, 15th-seeded Fordham basketball rewrote their postseason narrative with an emphatic 88-71 victory over Rhode Island. The Rams' dynamic backcourt duo of Jackie Johnson III and Japhet Medor combined for 55 points, fueling Fordham's first conference tournament win in five years. This historic upset marks only the third time since 2007 that a 15-seed has advanced in the A-10 Tournament.
Fordham's offensive execution reached new heights as they converted 8-of-13 three-point attempts (61.5%), far exceeding their season average of 31%. The team's 23 made free throws at 85% efficiency proved decisive, particularly during Rhode Island's second-half foul strategy. Defensively, the Rams limited URI's leading scorer David Fuchs to 14 points – nearly 5 below his season average.
The victory carries special significance for New York basketball enthusiasts, recalling Fordham's 1991 NIT championship run. Current head coach Keith Urgo becomes the first Fordham bench leader since 2005 to win a conference tournament game. Analysts note similarities to Saint Joseph's 2022 Cinderella run, where strong guard play propelled a double-digit seed to the semifinals.
With this win, Fordham advances to face George Washington in Thursday's second round. Sports statisticians calculate a 38% chance of Fordham reaching the quarterfinals – their best odds since joining the A-10 in 1995. The Rams' resurgence comes at a critical time, as the conference battles to maintain its NCAA Tournament bid streak.