The St. John Fisher College women's basketball team lost its first Empire 8 Conference game of the year on Saturday, losing 67-58 to host Stevens Institute of Technology.  The Cardinals, who trailed by as many as 29 points late in the first half, trimmed the Ducks' lead down to five points in the final seconds, but couldn't get any closer.

With the loss, Fisher falls to 4-3, 1-1 Empire 8 and will return to action at 12 p.m. on Sunday at Hartwick College.

Amanda Lax led the Cardinals with a career-high 17 points, while fellow junior Stephanie Sweeney added 14 points and seven steals.  Kristen Taliento chipped in with 10 points and a team-best seven rebounds.

Fisher trailed 42-19 at halftime, after shooting a dismal 4-for-29 (13.8%) from the floor over the opening 20 minutes.  The Cardinals were down 22 points with just over seven minutes to go in the game, but went on a 14-0 run over the next three minutes, trimming the lead down to single digits for the first time since the opening moments.

The Cardinals cut the lead down to five points with 12 seconds left, but Stevens sealed the win, making its final six free throws.