The St. John Fisher College men's basketball team suffered a loss, 77-67, to host Ithaca on Saturday evening. With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 15-7 overall and 7-6 in the Empire 8 Conference.

 

Over the first five minutes of the second half, Fisher would cut its 10-point deficit to three. Mike Wopperer made two field goals and a free-throw over the span, while Will Cornett added a pair of free-throws. However, Ithaca would again gain control of the game on a traditional three-point play by guard Sean Burton, making the score 46-40. Fisher would only get closer than a six-point margin once the rest of the game.

 

Despite Wopperer having his third double-double of the season, finishing with a career and game-high 24 points and career-high tying 11 rebounds, Fisher would trail the rest of the game. Guard Matt Newman added 13 points in the effort while Connor Henderson tallied eight points and seven rebounds.

 

In the first half the Bombers shot well from all spots on the floor. They finished the half 16-for-32 from the field (50%) including 4-for-10 from the three-point line (40%). Despite the impressive shooting effort, Fisher kept the half close throughout. Henderson hit a three-pointer on a Newman assist to knot the score at 26 with 3:41 to play.

 

Over the last three minutes of the first, however, the Bombers ran out to a 41-31 halftime lead. The gap was created by an 8-0 run over the last 1:43, capped on a jumper by Ithaca senior Sean Leahy as time expired. Wopperer led the Cardinals in the half with 10 points and four rebounds.

 

Fisher will return to action on Tuesday when they host the Alfred University Saxons at 8 p.m.