ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The St. John Fisher University men's basketball team played Russell Sage College on Saturday. After a 40-minute battle, Fisher came out on top by a 80-71 final score. The Cardinals move to 10-5 on the season and 6-2 in the conference. Russell Sage falls to 3-13 and is 1-8 in the conference.

Ryan Gentile got the first basket of the game off a jump shot assisted by Cole Thompson. Daniel Cook came out with the next five points, putting the Cardinals up 7-0 just 1:30 in. The Gators started chipping away, bringing the score within two points. Foley hit a three point shot to start a run of his own. He converted on layup assisted by Cook and a free throw shot to tally six points in 43 seconds. With four minutes left in the first half, the Gators tied it up at 25 and then gained the lead for the first time. Thompson tallied two more with 2 minutes to go, assisted by Cook, but it was not enough. Going into halftime the Gators led by a score of 31-27.

Cook had the first four points of the half for the Cardinals, trying to bring them out of the deficit. Gentile hit a three point shot to put the Cardinals back on top. The Gators answered by gaining the lead for the last time before Fisher pulled away and never let up. Connor Recore started the momentum shift off a layup and Foley followed behind, tallying two off an assist from Thompson. On the next play, Foley stole the ball creating an opportunity on the other end for Cook. Thompson gave Fisher their largest lead of the day, 50-35, with a three point shot assisted by Cook with 14:25 to go. The Gators strung together a few baskets to close the gap, but the Cardinals held on and stayed on top throughout the next 10 minutes. Gentile had the last two points for the Cardinals to bring the final score to 80-71, giving Fisher the victory.

Cook finished the night leading the team with 28 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and he went 10-for-14 on his field goal shots. Foley ended with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block. Brad Fowler had 11 points, and six rebounds.

Up next for the Cardinals, they will host Nazareth College on Tuesday Jan. 24th. This Empire 8 match up is set to start at 8pm.

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