PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Whenever the St. John Fisher University men's basketball team has needed a clutch play so far this season, senior guard Cole Thompson has been the one to produce more often than not. 

On Monday, he made those plays all game long, particularly in the second half. 

Thompson set career highs in points (25), field goals made (10 of 16) and 3-pointers made (5 of 9) in the Cardinals' 74-62 victory over previously unbeaten Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which entered the contest having allowed the fewest points per game in Division III (51.3). 

The Cardinals won their second straight game and moved to 4-5 on the season. RPI dropped to 9-1. 

"This a huge win for us heading into conference play," Thompson said. "We knew we needed to get a win today. We knew this would be a tough game and that they (RPI) were a great team. But we have dudes that fight. We are a really gritty team – we play well together and have a great locker room. We play hard and play for one another. At the end of the day, we know good things are going to happen."

After trailing the entire first half – RPI led by five, 36-31, at halftime – the Cardinals (and Thompson) could do no wrong in the second half. 

The Cardinals began an 11-4 run with 13:07 left and took the lead about three minutes later on a 3-pointer from junior guard Max Schneider, who finished with 16 points on 5 of 8 shooting (3 of 5 from three). He had 10 points in the second half while shooting 4 of 5 overall and 2 of 3 from downtown. 

Fisher never trailed from that point on and eventually led by as many as 14 points. 

Thompson scored seven of his 17 second-half points as the Cardinals pulled away from RPI. His 3-pointer with 6:50 remaining gave the Cardinals a seven-point cushion, their largest lead to that point of the contest. 

Thompson shot 7 of 10 overall and 3 of 5 from three in the final 20 minutes. 

"I felt really good today," Thompson said. "Some shots dropped – guys found me. I had a hot hand and they kept finding me. Credit to those guys. They made plays for me and caught me at the right times. I was able to hit the shots. Credit to my teammates. Today was just my day."

Thompson has come up big for the Cardinals with every chance he's had so far this season.  

In a victory over Union in November, he tied the game at 73 with a triple at the end of regulation before knocking down another big 3-pointer in overtime to extend Fisher's lead. On Sunday, in a 58-56 win over Penn State Behrend, he made a layup through contact to break a 53-53 tie with under two minutes remaining. He completed three three-point play at the foul line. 

"It's a big confidence thing," Thompson said. "When you make big plays, your confidence grows."

The Cardinals' 74 points marked the most RPI has allowed this season. RPI hadn't given more than 60 points in any of its previous nine games. 

Fisher as a team set season highs in 3-pointers made (12 of 24) and 3-point percentage (50%). The Cardinals shot nearly 60% from the field in the second half. 

Senior forward Eric Kegler, junior forward Louis Fay and sophomore guard Giovanni Schillaci each scored six points. Schillaci knocked down a season-high two 3-pointers in the first half. 

Senior forward Connor Williams and freshman forward Maximus Michalski chipped in four points. Williams led Fisher with six rebounds. 

Up Next

The Cardinals begin Empire 8 Conference play at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Alfred University.