PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The No. 1 seed St. John Fisher University women's basketball team hosted No. 5 Elmira College, on Friday, for a Empire 8 Semi-Final matchup. A strong third quarter helped the Cardinals secure a 67-41 victory over the Soaring Eagles. With this victory, Fisher advances to the Empire 8 Championship finals against Nazareth College.
 
The first quarter started slow, with two minutes going by before Presleigh Brunner made a layup. Shortly after, Kaitlyn Walker made a free-throw and a layup, to bring the score to 5-0. The two teams went back and forth, with Sidney Tomasso scoring a three-pointer. The Soaring Eagles secured the final points of the quarter, Fisher leading 14-12. The second quarter began with Emilia Johnson scoring a layup. A minute later, Walker scored a to put the score at 18-12. Both teams scored, with Brunner making two three-pointers. The half ended with Brunner scoring a free-throw and the Cardinals leading 31-19.
 
Fisher started the second half quickly, with Brunner scoring an early layup. Shortly after, Hannah Ferguson got on the score board with a layup of her own. Elmira gathered four points, but Claire Kruszka answered by scoring a layup, making the score 37-23. A bit later, Ka. Moravec scored three consecutive layups, with the quarter ending 50-28. The final quarter began with Brunner scoring a three-pointer, 11 seconds in. A minute later, Walker continued the momentum with a layup. The game ended with Julia Perales making a good layup and free-throw, and making the final score 67-41.
 
Leading for the Cardinals was Walker, scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 steals. Brunner also had a strong performance, scoring 14 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Tomasso collected seven rebounds, five assists, and six points. Ka. Moravec had a good game, scoring 12 points, six steals, and four rebounds.
 
The Cardinals compete for the Empire 8 Championship Final on Saturday, Feb. 25 as they host cross-town rival, Nazareth College for a 3:00 p.m. start at Manning & Napier Varsity Gym.
 
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