Elmira, N.Y – The St. John Fisher College women's basketball team won its third consecutive game Thursday night as the Cardinals topped Elmira College 73-67, inside the Speidel Gymnasium. With the win, Fisher improves to 6-4 overall on the season and 2-0 in Empire 8 Conference play while the Soaring Eagles fell to 8-3 overall and 0-2 in the Empire 8.

Elmira rushed out to an early lead in the first quarter, jumping out to a 12-5 lead within the first five minutes.  The Cardinals followed up rattling off a 12-2 run in the final 5:22 of the quarter. Caroline Robertson finished a fast-break three point play and Gillian Flint knocked down a triple to help end the first quarter with a 17-14 advantage.

Back-and-forth action started off the second quarter as both teams traded layups to bring the game back to a 21-21 tie. Nicole Robinson scored two of her six second quarter points at the 7:01 mark, which helped bring the momentum back to the Cardinals' side, as the team went into halftime with a 35-28 lead after a 15-7 run to end the quarter.

Fisher concluded the first half shooting 43.8% from the field and out-rebounded Elmira 17-14, while the Soaring Eagles shot 29.4%. 

The Cardinals carried the momentum into the second half with the help of two field goals from both Erin Hulbert and Sydney Masna, pushing Fisher to its first double-digit lead of the game, 43-33. Solid defense carried the visitors through most of the third quarter, outscoring Elmira 13-5 from the 7:09 minute mark on. In the final two minutes of the third quarter, the Soaring Eagles battled back and finished on an 8-0 run including two from behind the arc, to make it a 55-51 affair heading into the final quarter.

Once again, back-and-forth action saw both teams trading baskets to start the final period. With 5:53 remaining, Elmira capitalized off turnovers and captured its second lead of the game at 60-59. However, the Cardinals were propelled by timely buckets and were able to take the lead back and finish the game on a 13-6 run and capture their third straight victory.

Three Cardinals finished with double-doubles in the game, Robertson finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, Hulbert posted 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Robinson added 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Masna was the fourth Cardinal to finish in double figures, as the freshman finished with a career-high 14 points.

The Cardinals are back in action at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 6^th as they host Keuka College in Manning and Napier Varsity Gymnasium on Bobby Wanzer Court.