PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College men's basketball team had its six-game winning streak snapped on Saturday as the Cardinals fell to Alfred University, 86-81, in an Empire 8 clash inside Manning and Napier Varsity Gymnasium on Bobby Wanzer Court.  With the loss, Fisher fell to 8-5 on the season and 3-1 in the Empire 8 standings while the Saxons improved to 10-4 and 3-2, respectively.

It was a see-saw affair to begin the contest as both teams combined to knock down nine of their first 12 shots.  Trailing 12-9 with three minutes gone by in the opening half, Alfred began to lose steam while the Cardinals produced 15 of the game's next 17 points including nine straight to open up a 10-point edge, 24-14.

After swapping baskets over the next several minutes, Fisher would again orchestrate a run this time scoring seven consecutive points capped by a three-point play by sophomore Sammy Robinson to make it a 14-point game, 35-21, with just over eight minutes left to play before the break.

As the half wore on, the Saxons climbed their way back into contention courtesy of an 8-2 run to pull within eight points, but Fisher continued to pound the ball inside as Jake Haight connected on back-to-back layups to give the Cardinals a 12-point cushion.  From there, both teams swapped possessions down the stretch before Fisher closed out the half with five quick points including two consecutive field goals from Dennis Hare to head into intermission leading 51-39.

Fisher's pace on the offensive end of the floor slowed as the second half got underway while Alfred began to eat away at Fisher's lead with a 17-3 run that used over six minutes of time to make it a one point Cardinals' lead, 59-58.

Matt Asenjo afforded the home team some breathing room with a 3-pointer in the corner, but Alfred persisted and eventually took the lead with an 8-0 burst to earn a 70-63 advantage.

From there, the Saxons' lead would grow to as many as nine points before Fisher started to find its stride.  Down 74-65, a layup from Ryan Henderson sparked a 7-0 run including a critical three-point play from senior Tyler English to pull Fisher to within two points, 74-72.

As time continued to tick away, neither team was willing to give an inch.  The Cardinals kept it close as a wild shot by Robinson found its mark to keep the deficit at two.  After putting the Saxons at the line to conserve time, Fisher drew up a final play trailing by three points, but it was not to be as Alfred's defense held firm in the conference win.

Robinson led the way for Fisher with a game-high 21 points to go along with nine rebounds.  English added 14 points and six boards of his own.  Dylan Harrington contributed 10 points off the bench while Haight chipped in with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting.  Henderson and James Leone each had six points and four rebounds apiece.

The Cardinals will look to start a new winning streak at 6 p.m. on Tuesday as they take on Nazareth College in an Empire 8 tilt on Bobby Wanzer Court for the annual Battle of the Beaks contest.