Men's Basketball | 1/19/2024 11:00:00 AM

PITTSFORD, N.Y.-- The St. John Fisher University men's basketball team heads just a mile-and-a-half down the street on Saturday as they renew the "Battle of the Beaks" with Nazareth University. 
 
The Cardinals, currently second in the Empire 8 (6-1 in conference, 10-6 overall), have a long history with the Golden Flyers, and their meetings are among the biggest events on the schools' athletic schedules. 
 
Tip-off on Saturday is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. at Nazareth's Kidera Gymnasium.
 
Here's what you need to know about the match-up:
 
Last Time Out: Fisher lost for the first time this conference season on Tuesday, falling just short at conference-leading Utica, 82-81. The Cardinals had trailed by as much as 14 but stormed back before taking the one-point loss. Fifth-year forward Daniel Cook led Fisher with 25 points on the day.
 
Know Your Foe: The Cardinals are 68-38 all-time against the Golden Flyers, including 26-19 since the 2005-2006 season. The last "Battle of the Beaks" came in last season's Empire 8 championship game, when the Cardinals took home the title with a 78-62 win. Before that, the two "birds" had split their series, 1-1, with each side winning their home game.
 
This season, the Golden Flyers are 8-6 overall but 5-1 in the Empire 8, just behind the Cardinals in the conference standing. 
 
Nazareth is led offensively by Logan Blankenberg, who averages 15.2 points per game. Luke Insley is the Empire 8 leader in assists, averaging 6.3 per game. 
 
Jack Attack: Graduate student Jack Foley has been the top three-point shooters this year not just for Fisher but for the entire Empire 8. His .469 three-point percentage is the best in the conference, and his 2.4 three-pointers per game is third. 
 
Player To Watch: Daniel Cook, as always, will be one of the top players on the floor for the Cardinals against Nazareth. The forward leads in both blocked shots per game (1.3) and steals per game (2.1). He is second in the conference in points per game (20.7), rebounds per game (9.5), and third in assists per game (3.5). 
 
Up Next: After playing Nazareth, the Cardinals return home on Friday, Jan. 26, to host Sage College. Tip-off for that game will be at 7:30 P.M.
 
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