The St. John Fisher College men's basketball team (0-1) was defeated in its season opener on Saturday 56-50 by visiting Desales University (1-0).

 

With just over six minutes remaining in the second half, freshman guard Jordan Gettings, who finished with six points, pulled the Cardinals to within three points (45-42) with a 3-pointer from the top of the key. The basket cut Desales' lead as the Cardinals attempted to overcome what had been a 10-point first half deficit.

 

The Bulldogs responded with a 7-0 run over the next four minutes to keep the Cardinals from victory.

 

In the first half, Fisher opened the game with a 3-pointer from reigning Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year Ozell Franklin, but fell behind by 10 points at the 7:54 mark on a layup from Desales' Brian Hunter. The Cardinals trailed by eight with three seconds to play in the half, but an outlet pass off of a missed free throw led to a layup from Quinn Smith that just beat the buzzer. The Cardinals took a six-point deficit (26-20) into the locker room.

 

Desales led by eight points (34-26) at the 14:29 mark of the final period, but freshman forward Tyler Wescott sparked an 8-4 run with a baseline jump shot that ended with a layup from Brandon Witte. The spurt cut the lead to four, but a jumper and a pair of free throws from Desales' Ed Lapinski built the lead back up. Lapinski led all scorers with 17 points.

 

Franklin hit a 3-pointer to bring Fisher to within four, but Lapinski hit another pair of free throws to put the Bulldogs up by six. Gettings' 3-pointer cut the lead to three before Desales pulled away for good.

 

Franklin# (11 points) and Will Cornett (10 points) were the only Cardinals to score in double figures, while junior forward/center Mike Wopperer grabbed a team-best five rebounds. Matt Newman and Wescott each recorded three rebounds.

 

Fisher will return to action when they travel to D'Youville College on Tuesday for an 8 p.m. tip-off.