The St. John Fisher College men's basketball team defeated Utica College 66-40 to improve to 5-2 in the Empire 8. 

Justin Beigel led the Cardinals with 17 points and seven rebounds.  Isaiah Smalt added 15 points and nine rebounds, while Ozell Franklin chipped in with 12 points.

Fisher trailed 13-7 with 13:17 left in the first half, but went on a 16-0 run over the next 6:41, shooting 7-for-9 from the floor to take command.  The Cardinals, who led 35-19 at intermission, scored the first four points of the second half, pushing their lead to 20.  Utica, however, responded with a 10-0 run, trimming Fisher's lead in half.  The Cardinals answered Utica's run with a  6-0 spurt to regain command and cruised to the win.

Fisher held the Pioneers to just 40 points, the fewest the Cardinals have allowed in a game since a 78-40 win at Hartwick during the 2003-2004 season.

Fisher, who defeated Utica 78-73 in overtime in last year's Empire 8 Conference Championship, will return to action at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and will host Alfred University.