Despite fighting back from as much as a 16-point deficit in the second-half of play, Fisher could not stop host DeSales University, falling to the #21 Bulldogs 64-62.

The Cardinals opened the game with a 5-0 lead and led for the first 11 minutes of play, but were stunted by a 15-point run from the Bulldogs that put DeSales up 26-14. The Bulldogs didn't look back, never dropping below a nine-point lead for the rest of the half and sending Fisher into the locker room with a 12-point deficit, 37-25.

DeSales maintained a significant lead throughout most of the second half, until a layup from Jordan Koch with 3:11 left to play pushed Fisher to its first advantage since 11 minutes into the first half. The Cardinals kept the Bulldogs within three points for the rest of play, and a layup from Jordan Gettings put Fisher within one point with only 11 seconds left in the game, but the Cardinals couldn't cut it. A foul to DeSales' Brian Hunter would end the game with the Bulldogs leading by two.

DeSales shot 8-for-13 (61.5 percent) from downtown over the first 20 minutes and controlled the boards, holding a 10-rebound advantage (23-13) on the glass in the first half.

Fisher doubled its shooting percentage in the second half, but was still slightly outshot by the Bulldogs overall, 38.3% to the Cardinals' 37.3%.

Senior Michael Wopperer led Fisher in scoring with 16 points and grabbed five rebounds. Matt Newman was four-for-six from the floor, including two from behind the arc, while junior Will Cornett nabbed a team-high six rebounds and recorded four assists.

The Cardinals, now 3-2 overall, return to action as they host the 2009 Courtyard-Marriott Invitational at the end of the month. Fisher takes on St. Vincent's College at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29.