HAMBURG, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher women's basketball team jumped on Hilbert 27-5 in the first quarter and never looked back in a 96-34 drubbing of the Hawks on Tuesday night at the Brad Hafner Recreation Center. The Cardinals improved to 2-5 on the young season with the victory, while Hilbert tumbled to 0-6. 

St. John Fisher had three players score in double figures, led by senior guard Presleigh Brunner, who produced 15 points while shooting 6-of-7 from the field (1-of-1 from three) and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Senior guard Hannah Ferguson added 12 points and also shot 6-of-7 from the field, while freshman forward Payton O'Dell chipped in 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting to go with five rebounds. Sophomore guards Valerosa Gambitta and Rachael Hager each finished with eight points. 

The Cardinals set season highs in overall shooting percentage (70.4%), 3-point shooting percentage (66.7%), free throw shooting percentage (85.7%) and assists (27). Their 96 points marked their most in a game since a 110-25 victory over Penn State-Berks two seasons ago. 

Fisher limited Hilbert to just 14-of-61 shooting overall (23%) and 3-of-21 from 3-point range (14.3%). The Cardinals scored 21 points off 18 Hilbert turnovers. 

How It Happened

Brunner scored 11 of her points while shooting 4-of-5 from the field, including 1-of-1 from deep, as Fisher took firm control of the game in the opening quarter. The Cardinals outscored the Hawks 15-3 in the first five minutes and change. 

The Cardinals led by 39 points, 52-13, at halftime after a 25-8 second quarter. Senior guard Mary Marrapese scored five of her seven total points in that frame, while fellow senior guard Julia Perales tallied five of her game-high seven assists. 

Sophomore Tanleigh Bestine drilled a pair of 3-point shots as Fisher outscored Hilbert 29-12 in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, as Fisher's advantage swelled to as many as 68, Hager scored all eight of her points and knocked down a pair of triples. 

Game Notes

• Perales' seven assists marked a career high. She added five points and a pair of steals. 

• Freshman guard Natalie Mai dished out five assists and scored five points. 

• Thirteen of the 15 Cardinals who logged minutes in the contest contributed at least four points. 

• Brunner has reached double figures in all but one of Fisher's first seven games. 

Up Next

The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 30, against The College of New Jersey in the Smith Tournament.