The St. John Fisher College men's basketball team fell to the Utica Pioneers by a 72-64 score on Friday night at Fisher's Manning and Napier Varsity Gymnasium.  The Cardinals are now 10-11 on the season, and they fall to 3-7 in the Empire 8 Conference.  Utica improves to 7-14 on the year, with a 3-7 mark in the conference.

Fisher held just one lead in the second half, holding a 53-52 advantage with 6:55 remaining.  Utica, however, was able to answer and build a large lead, holding a 10 point advantage at 1:46 left.   

Fisher attempted to rally late in the game, as David Lynch hit a three-pointer to cut the Pioneer lead to five points with 54 seconds to go.  But, Utica sank five free throws in the remaining moments to seal the victory. 

The Cardinals, who trailed 36-32 after the first half, were led by Justin Plata's 11 points.  Utica held its largest lead of the half with an eight-point advantage at 25-17 at the 9:57 mark.  Still, the Cardinals kept the game within a few points, including a tie at 32-32.

Plata finished the game with a game-high 22 points, while also grabbing six rebounds.  Lynch was second in scoring with 13 points, and Thad Wier tallied 11 total. Jason Norsen ruled the boards with a game-leading 12 rebounds.

Fisher will return to action tomorrow afternoon for the tail end of a back-to-back, taking on the Ithaca College Bombers at 4 p.m.