BOX SCORE

The St. John Fisher College women's basketball program won its fourth straight game on Friday night, as the Cardinals used a second-half rally to defeat visiting Utica College 60-44 at Fisher's Bobby Wanzer Court in a pivotal Empire 8 Conference matchup.

With the win, Fisher improves to 9-10 overall and 6-4 in the Empire 8, while Utica falls to 9-10, 5-4.

The win avenges a 63-59 loss in overtime to Utica earlier this month and moves the Cardinals into third place in the Empire 8 standings.

It was a fairly-even first half.  Fisher led early on, pushing its lead to as many as seven at 13-6 on a 3-pointer from Claire Walsh, but the Pioneers hung tough and took their first lead of the game at 20-19 with 4:43 left in the first half on a layup from Meghan Fiore. 

Fisher led 27-26 at the break, but the Pioneers took the lead on a traditional three-point-play from Fiore on the opening possession of the second half at 29-27.     It would, however, be Utica's last lead.

Fisher's Brooke Seavitt drained a 3-pointer with 18:43 left, giving the Cardinals a 30-29 lead.  The basket sparked a 22-4 run over the next 14 minutes, with Camaryn Buckner scoring 10 points during the instrumental run.

Buckner tied her career-high, scoring 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting.  She also blocked four shots and snagged 10 rebounds, marking her seventh double-double of the season. 

Walsh tallied 12 points, while point guard Portia Velasco finished with 10 points and five assists.  Seavitt chipped in with seven points and three steals, while Mary Kate Cusack collected seven points and four assists.

Fisher will return to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday and will host newly-added Empire 8 rival Houghton College. Houghton is a provisional member of NCAA Division III and not eligible for postseason. Games against the Highlanders do impact conference records/standings.