PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher men's basketball team fell 95-89 to Utica for its third straight loss on Saturday afternoon at Manning and Napier Varsity Gym.
The Cardinals dropped to 4-8 overall (0-3 Empire 8), while the Pioneers improved to 7-5 (1-2 Empire 8) and snapped their three-game losing streak.
How It Happened
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Despite shooting better than 50% overall and going 6 of 6 at the foul line in the first half, Fisher trailed Utica by 10, 46-36, at halftime. The Pioneers shot 50% overall (16 of 32) and nearly 60% from three (7 of 12) in the first 20 minutes. Hagen Foley led the Pioneers with 17 points at the break.
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The Cardinals made a strong push to start the second half, outscoring the Pioneers 22-8 in the first seven minutes to take a 58-54 lead. Freshman Maximus Michalski scored seven points during that run; senior Connor Williams had five.
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After the teams traded narrow leads, the Pioneers began taking control with less than four minutes left. Liam Teague's jumper with 1:34 remaining put Utica ahead by seven points, 87-82.
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Utica finished off the six-point win at the foul line, making 4 of 4 shots in the final 1:02.
Game Notes
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Williams led the Cardinals with 18 points on 7 of 12 shooting (1 of 4 from three). He also went 3 of 4 from the three-throw line.
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Over two games this weekend, Williams amassed 54 points, the best two-game scoring stretch of his collegiate career. He had a career-best 36 points on Friday against SUNY Poly.
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Senior forward Eric Kegler had 14 points, while junior guard Max Schneider and senior guard Cole Thompson had 10 apiece. Schneider made a team-high three 3-pointers.
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Freshman guard Andrew Violante and sophomore forward Jonathan McCaffrey each scored a career-high nine points.
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Michalski pulled down a season-high nine rebounds and finished with nine points on 4 of 6 shooting.
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Utica scored 21 points off of 14 St. John Fisher turnovers. The Cardinals scored just four points off turnovers.
Up Next
The Cardinals face Houghton at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at Manning and Napier Varsity Gym.