The St. John Fisher College men's basketball team opened up the game with an 11-0 run over the first five minutes and never looked back, defeating Utica College 79-66 on Friday in a key Empire 8 Conference game. 

With the win, Fisher improves to 19-5 overall and 10-3 in the Empire 8, while Utica falls to 18-5, 10-3.  If Fisher can defeat visiting Hartwick College tomorrow, the Cardinals will host next weekend's Empire 8 Conference Championship for the fourth time in as many years.

Justin Beigel became the first player in Fisher history to record a triple-double in 13 years, totaling 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.  Dan Mueller led all scorers with 21 points, while freshman Chris Baltz tied his career-high with 20 points, including 15 the first half.  Senior Dan McSweeney scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half. 

Fisher led 11-0, as Utica missed its first nine shots.  The Cardinals extended their lead to 21-4 11 minutes into the game.

The Cardinals led by as many as 20 points in the first half, but Utica trimmed to the margin to 13 after going on a 9-2 run to end the half down 37-24.  Utica cut Fisher's lead down to seven points with a little over seven minutes to go, but Fisher quickly pushed the lead back to 13 points with a 3-pointer from Mueller and a traditional 3-point-play from McSweeney.

Doug Herring led the Pioneers with 16 points, while Jack Lighthall and Brian Collier each finished with 14 points.  Ray Bryant,, who averages just 17 points per game finished with just two points and did not play in the second half.

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