BOX SCORE

Portia Velasco scored a game-high 21 points as the St. John Fisher College women's basketball team nearly overcame a 16-point deficit using a 14-1 run before falling to top-seeded Roberts Wesleyan 64-60 in a semifinal matchup at the 21^st annual Wendy's College Classic Thursday night.
 
Fisher, now 5-3 on the year, will face the University of Rochester in the consolation match at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Roberts Wesleyan's Voller Gymnasium.
 
The Cardinals got off to a slow start with Roberts Wesleyan jumping out to a 16-6 lead with 11:16 remaining in first half, forcing Fisher to call a timeout to regroup.
 
The break in action seemed to provide a spark, as Fisher got right back in the game courtesy of an 11-3 run with six points coming at the charity stripe to make it 19-17 in favor of Roberts Wesleyan.
 
The Redhawks, however, would respond with a modest 10-3 run of their own to take a 29-20 lead, but back-to-back baskets by Camaryn Buckner and Velasco cut the deficit to 31-24 as the halftime horn sounded.
 
After the break, both teams returned to the hardwood looking to seize control, but it would be Roberts Wesleyan that would catch fire, jumping out to its largest lead of the game at 43-27 on the strength of a 12-3 run that lasted over eight minutes.
 
Following a timeout, The Cardinals cut into the Redhawk lead.  Velasco buried back-to-back three pointers to make it 44-33 with just under 11:00 minutes remaining in the contest.  Moments later, Buckner drained a jumper and drew the foul, but couldn't convert on the three-point play as Fisher trailed by only six points at 44-38.
 
The Cardinals weren't done, however, as Mary Kate Cusack lofted a deep three ball that found nylon to cap the 14-1 run, forcing the Redhawks to call a timeout as the Cardinals found themselves right back into the hunt at 44-41.
 
Both teams jockeyed for an advantage as the game wore on.  The Cardinals would cut the lead to a single point at 49-48, but Roberts Wesleyan scored the next seven points, making it 57-48 with 4:18 left to play.
 
Down eight and with time working against them, the Cardinals battled back.  Velasco drilled another three pointer, her fourth of the game to bring the Cardinals to within two scores. 
 
After exchanging points, Fisher had one last opportunity to tie the contest as the visitors controlled the game's final possession.  Cusack would get the call as the Clifton Park, N.Y. native was fouled attemping a three point shot, sending her to the line for three free throws and the potential to tie the game, but it was not to be as the ball rimmed out, allowing the Redhawks to escape with a 64-60 win.
 
Velasco notched 21 points on 8-17 shooting.  The junior guard also pulled down nine rebounds and had five steals.  Buckner had a double-double, recording 15 points and a game-high 16 boards, while McKenzie Bezon had seven points and a career-high12 rebounds.