The St. John Fisher College women's basketball team earned a 76-65 victory over host Utica College as both squads opened conference play on Friday evening. The Cardinals extend their win streak to four and improve to 8-2 overall, while the Pioneers fall to 4-6.

Fisher quickly jumped out to an 11-0 lead with five points each from Portia Velasco and Sydney Bloomstein. The Pioneers got on the board with a free throw from Ashley Mayo.

The Cardinals continued to power through on offense with a balanced attack. Emily Piacentini gave Fisher an 18-4 lead with a 3-pointer. Mary Kate Cusack recorded five points in seconds with a 3-pointer of her own and a pair of free throws, giving Fisher a 30-14 lead. The Cardinals saw its biggest lead of the game, 20 points, with under eight minutes left in the opening half.

Utica came back and cut the lead down to 10 points in three minutes with help from Mary Miceli, who tallied eight points in that span. At the half, Fisher would still lead by 10, 43-33.

The Pioneers carried their momentum from the first half, opening the second half with a 10-2 run, making it a 45-43 game.

The Pioneers' soon saw the Cardinals take over for the rest of the game, however, as Fisher went on a 25-9 run and didn't turn back.

Cusack and Velasco recorded 19 points apiece. Bloomstein added seven points, six boards and three steals. Piacentini and Lunden Cunningham combined for 17 points to support the offense.

The Cardinals continue Empire 8 play against host Elmira College at 2 p.m. Saturday.