ALFRED, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College men's basketball team benefited from 42 points from its bench including a career-high 20 points from Dylan Harrington in an 88-73 rout of Alfred University on Friday as Fisher won its conference opener inside Terry S. Galanis Family Gymnasium.  With the win, Fisher improved to 6-6 and 1-0 in the Empire 8 while the Saxons slipped to 6-6, 0-1, respectively. 

With the score knotted at 14-14 and nearly 10 minutes having ticked away in the first half, the Cardinals created some breathing room after scoring 10 of the game's next 14 points to take a seven-point advantage.  The lead would be short-lived, however, as Alfred buried back-to-back 3-pointers to pull to within one, 25-24. 

As play continued, the Saxons eventually claimed the lead following a 10-0 burst that made it a six-point affair.  The momentum would fade for Alfred as the half wore on with Fisher taking advantage to the tune of a 13-2 run over the final four minutes of play including a four-point play from junior Mark Valeriani that made it 41-36 at the break.

As the second half got underway, Fisher promptly built a double-digit lead as Sammy Robinson connected from distance.  The Saxons would pull to within three with seven minutes gone by, but Fisher regrouped and eventually led by as many as 17 before the final horn sounded. 

Harrington led the team with 20 points off the bench as the senior was 8-for-9 from the floor including three from behind the arc to go along with five assists.  Robinson added 13 points in 12 minutes while 12 points, five boards and two dimes.  Louden Porter and Valeriani each finished with 11 points in the win.

The Cardinals have a quick turnaround as they travel to Houghton on Saturday to do battle with the Highlanders in another Empire 8 showdown.  Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.