New York is the stage for an exciting showdown as Fordham University women's basketball gears up for the annual "Battle of The Bronx". On Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m., they take on Manhattan. The Rams are set to face the Jaspers live on ESPN+, with Jason Gurrette and Chris Williams providing the play-by-play.

Matchup Highlights

Fordham holds a four-game advantage in the all-time series with Manhattan, leading 29-25. However, last season it was the Jaspers who emerged victorious at Rose Hill. Prior to that, Fordham had won the previous 11 matchups, marking the longest win streak in the series' history. Interestingly, Fordham hasn't lost a game in Riverdale since the 2009-10 season.Manhattan is off to a hot start in 2024-25, sitting at 3-1 with their lone loss coming in the season opener against Rutgers by just six points. Since then, they've defeated Central Connecticut, LIU, and Hofstra by double-digits. Petra Juric and Nitzan Amar lead the offense, averaging 15.0 points per game and 10.3 points per game respectively.On the glass, Irene Murua leads the Rams with 24 rebounds in the first four games, averaging 6.0 rebounds per game. Seven different players are averaging at least 3.0 rebounds per game in the first two weeks. Murua has also been crucial on the offensive glass, pulling down 3.8 rebounds per game and already having 15 this season. As a team, Fordham has pulled down 48 offensive rebounds and is collecting 35.3 rebounds per game overall.In a dominating effort against Saint Peter's, Taylor Donaldson made her first start of the 2024-25 campaign and set a new career high with six steals, tying with Taya Davis for the team lead with seven steals. The Rams have been getting in the passing lanes early and often, collecting double-digit steals in three of the first four games. Chae Harris has six steals, ahead of four from Precious Omoshola and four from Amiyah Ferguson.In their first action of the 2024-25 campaign, the Maroon and White collected 13 steals led by a career-high five from Taya Davis, with six different Rams collecting at least one. They would match that total against Cal St. Fullerton, collecting another 13 steals while forcing the Titans into 19 turnovers. Both Precious Omoshola and Kaila Berry set a new career-high with four steals each, ahead of three from Camila De Pool.Shooting just shy of 40% from the field as a team, seven players are shooting better than that individually. Murua paces the Rams' offense at 9.5 points per game on 14-of-25 shooting. Chae Harris follows, averaging 9.0 points per game after an 18-point performance in her Fordham debut, including 3-of-7 shooting from three-point range.Pulling away comfortably in the first half, the Rams defeated Saint Peter's 64-58 at the Rose Hill Gym. Friday night's victory gave them their fifth consecutive victory in the all-time series against Saint Peter's, improving to 2-2 on the year, while the Peacocks fell to 0-3. Donaldson led the way with 21 points, making six shots including three from long-range and shooting 6-for-6 at the free throw line. She also had six steals, accounting for over half of the Rams' 11 steals. Murua had 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting and four rebounds, while Ferguson added nine points and a team-high five assists. Harris had seven points and three steals along with four rebounds.Next up, the Rams return home to take on another Empire State foe, Siena, on Saturday night at 7:30 at the Rose Hill Gym.