Men's Basketball | 2/5/2024 2:10:00 PM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Winners of five straight, the St. John Fisher University men's basketball team hosts Empire 8 foe Utica University this Tuesday at Manning & Napier Varsity Gym in an important matchup with potential playoff ramifications. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 P.M.
 
Here's what you need to know:
 
Last Time Out
History was made on Saturday when fifth-year forward Daniel Cook scored his 2000th career college point as the Cardinals beat Alfred, 90-79. Cook, who originally attended Hobart before transferring to Fisher as a sophomore, fittingly made a big impact on Saturday, scoring 17 points and leading the team with nine rebounds, five steals, and a block. Sophomore guard Brendan McRoy led the team with 19 points.
 
Know Your Foe
This will be an important matchup when it comes to seeding in the Empire 8 tournament: Utica's 10-1 conference mark puts them just ahead of the Cardinals for second-place in the conference, and a win would keep the Cardinals' hopes of overtaking them alive. 
 
Historically, Fisher leads the series with Utica, 52-17. Utica won this season's earlier matchup in Utica, however, 82-81. The Pioneers currently have an overall record of 17-3 and are led by Justice Brantley, who averages 16.3 points per game. 
 
Fun fact: Utica was originally an extension school of Syracuse University, and it didn't become fully independent until the 1990s. 
 
BLOCKED!
The Cardinals have two players in the top ten in the Empire 8 when it comes to blocks per game: Cook is tops with 1.6 per game, while senior forward Brad Fowler is ninth with 0.7. 
 
Player To Watch
Should the game be determined at the free-throw line, the Cardinals will do well if they have junior guard Cole Thompson at the line. The native of Kentucky is 15-for-16 (.938) from the charity stripe this season. That would be the best in the entire conference if he had enough attempts to qualify. 
 
Up Next
The Cardinals head to their final road game of the regular season on Thursday, traveling to Houghton University for a 7:30 game. 
 
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