BRONX, NY – Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist Kahil Gibran once penned, "March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life's path." It's a saying that the 2025-26 Fordham men's basketball team could take to heart as the Rams felt the thorns and stones in tonight's season opener, falling to NJIT, 72-61, in the Rose Hill Gym.
Grad student guard Dejour Reaves led Fordham with a game-high 21 points, shooting 9-for-15 from the field and 3-for-6 from behind the arc, while also dishing out three assists. Grad student forward Zarique Nutter helped out with 15 points, six rebounds and two blocks and junior forward Rikus Schulte chipped in with seven points and 11 rebounds.
How It Happened
• Fordham jumped out to a 16-11 lead nine minutes into the game and led by one, 22-21 with 5:21 left in the first
• The Highlanders then outscored the Rams, 16-4, to take a 37-26 halftime lead.
• Fordham opened the second half outscoring NJIT, 14-8 to cut the deficit to five, 45-40, on a Marcus Greene three with 14:20 remaining, and managed to get even closer, cutting it to three, 47-44, on a pair of Abass Bodija free throws three minutes later.
• NJIT responded with a fast break three and quickly get the lead back to double figures, 61-50, with 7:18 on the clock.
Game Notes
• Rikus Schulte recorded his first career double digit rebounding game.
• Fordham outrebounded NJIT, 45-37.
• Included in the 45 rebounds where 19 offensive boards.
• Fordham used the 19 offensive rebounds to outscore the Highlanders, 17-7, in second chance points.
• The Rams are now 79-38 (.675) in season openers since 1908, 85-21 (.802) in home openers.
By the Numbers
4 - Blocks for the Rams in the game, led by two from Zarique Nutter.
6 – Lead changes in the game.
21 – Career 20-point games for Dejour Reaves.
What's Next?
• The Rams will welcome Mount Saint Mary College (NY) to the historic Rose Hill Gym on Friday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m.
• It will be the first meeting between the Rams and the Knights on the hardwood.
Portions of this article was created using technology provided by
Data Skrive.