UTICA, N.Y. - The St. John Fisher University men's basketball team headed to Utica, NY on Friday night to compete against the Pioneers in the semi-finals of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament. The two team heads into this match up with a win each during the regular season. The no. 4 seed Cardinals came out on top at the end of regulation by a final score of 70-65, defeating the no. 1 seed Pioneers. The Cardinals move onto to the Championship game on Saturday.
The Cardinals started out the first half scoring off a block by Daniel Cook, rebounded my Cole Thompson, who found Ryan Gentile on the other end, finishing on a jump shot to get it started. The Pioneers came out fast and got their biggest lead of the half just three minutes in, up by five. Cook got the Cardinals first lead of the game at the 14:18 minute mark by hitting a three. Brendan McRoy recorded a steal and transitioned the ball end to end and finished a fast break lay up, putting Fisher up 17-16 with 12:21 to go. The first half was a back and forth offensive battle between the two teams. Eric Kegler tallied four points back to back to give Fisher their biggest lead of the half, 28-22, up by six. With six minutes to go, Kegler and Cook combined had the last nine points for Fisher, to lead them into half time tied with Utica by a score of 37-37.
Jack Foley got the second half started for Fisher sinking a three point shot assisted by Cook who recorded the defensive rebound. The Pioneer went on a ten-point run, creating a 10-point gap, bringing the score to 50-40 with 12:49 to go. Kegler ended the Pioneers momentum by finishing on a layup. Gentile was right behind hitting a three, assisted by Recore to bring the score to 51-45. Cole Thompson's three point shot with nine to go seemed to be the start of a momentum shift for Fisher, they started to slowly close the gap. Matt Lettko gave the Cardinals their first lead of the second half hitting a three with 5:49 to go, assisted by Foley. The Pioneers tied it up at 63 with 1:41 to go. Cook found Gentile who recorded another three to get the Cardinals up by three. Thompson converted on both free throw attempts bringing the score to 68-64 with 10 seconds to go. Foley was next to get fouled with three seconds to go, he hit both shot bringing the final score to 70-65, Fisher on top.
Foley led the way in points for the Cardinals, finishing with 18. He recorded five rebounds and two assists. Cook led the team in rebounds with 10, he added 12 points, four assists, three blocks and two steals. Gentile ended the night with 13 points, three rebounds and one assist. Thompson and Kegler both tallied 10 points and five rebounds. Thompson with three assists and two steals.
Up next for the Cardinals, they compete at Utica University in the Empire 8 Championship game against Nazareth College. The matchup is schedule to tip-off at 3 p.m.
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