Pittsburgh,, PA – Fordham freshman Ivan Raut scored a career-high 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-7 from long range, as the Rams shot a blistering 60 percent from the field to thump Duquesne by a score of 80-57 on Saturday afternoon. Upper classmen Will Tavares and Prokop Slanina each recorded double-doubles, with Tavares posting 15 points and 10 rebounds and Slanina tallying 13 points and 11 rebounds. Duquesne sophomore Kellon Taylor impressed for the Dukes with 13 points on a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and seven rebounds off the bench. Duquesne struggled mightily shooting just 31 percent for the game.
Fordham’s Raut is a 6’7 combo forward from Montenegro who can score from both inside the post or beyond the arc. He displays efficiency as a stretch four-man with a good shooting stroke. He also establishes post position well and utilizes skilled footwork to execute post and counter moves on the block. On the block, Raut is capable of scoring at the rim or via a fade away jumper. Raut is a solid rebounder, but could show more aggression rebounding outside his area. He is an efficient scorer capable of getting hot.
Tavares, a senior, is an athletic, strong, wing player who uses a quick first step and a physical frame to get past defenders and finish at the rim. Tavares is an above average rebounder for his position (10 today, 5.5 avg.) and utilizes his leaping ability and strength to pull in rebounds. Tavares is also a capable creator due to his penetrating ability (four assists today). Tavares struggles from long distance as he shoots just 23 percent on the season.
Ivan Raut
Slanina is a 6’10 post player who is capable of scoring both inside and out. Slanina has back-to-the-basket ability and is also shooting 37 percent from three-point range on 67 attempts. He is a solid rebounder who battles for the ball, but could have a higher average due to size (11 rebounds today, 5.2 average). Slanina plays good positional and help defense and he is a willing rim protector and shot blocker (four blocks today). He also is a solid free throw shooter at 74 percent.
Duquesne’s Taylor is an athletic 6’5 wing player who makes an impact as a “3 and D” player. Taylor is a strong on-ball defender and a capable catch-and-shoot player with good shooting perform. He is a two-sport athlete and uses his length, physicality, and leaping ability to be effective. Taylor is a solid rebounder and also displays good passing vision.
Duquesne will look to turn things around next Saturday when they travel to Philadelphia to take on St. Joe’s. Fordham will seek to win its third consecutive game on Wednesday when they host St. Joe’s.
This article was written by Nate Toth, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter. We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout certification program. For information contact us and forward your resume.
