NEW YORK – The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College women's basketball team had its two-game winning streak snapped on Saturday as the No. 20 Cardinals fell to New York University, 83-72, in a non-conference clash inside the Sportsplex.  With the defeat, Fisher closed out the fall semester at 6-2 while the Violets improved to 7-1 on the year. 
 
Five players finished in double figures for Fisher led by Ella Eckert who posted 15 points to go along with six rebounds and a pair of assists.  Miranda Lynch added 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting while Amy Gardner finished with a career-high 13 points, six rebounds and three dimes.  Julia Mertsock contributed 12 points and pulled down five rebounds over 36 minutes while Leah Koonmen provided 10 points off the bench.
 
After falling behind by seven points heading into the second half, Fisher found itself in a double-digit hole as the Violets came out of the locker room to the tune of an 8-4 burst to hold a 37-26 edge.
 
The Cardinals would cut the deficit to six points midway through the third period only to see NYU regroup with an 8-2 run to hold a 12-point cushion, 49-37.  From there, Fisher countered with a run of its own to keep the game close as head coach Melisa Kuberka's squad scored seven of the quarter's final nine points to head into the fourth frame trailing by seven, 51-44.
 
As the final period got underway, the Cardinals were never able to string together a scoring run as the Violets built a 14-point lead.  Fisher would pull to within seven points following a pair of free throws from Lynch, but that was as close as the visitors would get as the NYU lead by 11 at the final horn.
 
The Cardinals were 24-of-58 (.414) overall from the field and looked sharp at the charity stripe after converting 20-of-26 attempts.  Fisher out-rebounded the Violets, 39-35, and forced their opponent in to 11 turnovers on the day.
 
The Cardinals will look to build a new winning streak when they return to action at 5 p.m. on Monday, December 30^th to host Medaille College inside Manning and Napier Varsity Gym on Bobby Wanzer Court.