PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Tied 40-40 at the half, the St. John Fisher women's basketball team held off Alfred University on Saturday, 72-66, to remain undefeated in conference play.
The Cardinals, now 20-2 overall and 13-0 in the Empire 8, fell behind early against Alfred, who led 12-6 with around five-and-a-half minutes left to play in the quarter. Fisher went on a 17-10 run in the final minutes of the opening quarter, ultimately grabbing a 23-22 lead on a last-second layup by senior guard Claire Kruszka.
The Saxons wouldn't go quietly, however, outscoring the Cardinals 18-17 in the second quarter. Senior forward Lauren Nawojski ensured the game would go into the half tied, though, with a jumper in the last 30 seconds.
Fisher seemingly took charge in the third quarter, outscoring Alfred 17-8 behind Kruszka's six points to make it 57-48, but Alfred still wouldn't go away. The Saxons narrowed Fisher's lead to just four with under a minute left in the game, before two good free throws by Nawojski and a few missed shots for the Saxons finished the game for good.
Four Cardinals reached double-digits in the game: Junior guard Katie Moravec (13), Kruszka (12), freshman forward Joleen Lusk (12), and sophomore guard Presleigh Brunner (12). Moravec also led the team in assists, with six, while Lusk led Fisher with eight rebounds.
Freshman guard Madeline Ramsgard made her first career start for the Cardinals and made the most of it, notching nine points, a team-high five steals, five rebounds, two assists, and a block while recording a season-high 32 minutes. Freshman forward Alexa Gibson also recorded her first collegiate start, scoring six.
The Cardinals were 12-17 from the free throw line for the day, including a 7-for-10 mark by Moravec.
Alfred's Lauren Harkenrider led both teams with 25 points, including six three-pointers.
St. John Fisher returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at home against Utica. Gametime is 5:30 P.M.
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