WBB Minute - Fisher Headlines Friday's Winners
St. John Fisher 63, Ithaca 57
The St. John Fisher College women’s basketball program ended the game with a 12-1 run and knocked off visiting Ithaca College (13-2, 5-1) 63-59 on Friday night at Fisher’s Bobby Wanzer Court.
With the win, Fisher improves to 7-10 overall and 4-4 in the Empire 8. The wins snaps avenges a 48-43 loss in overtime to Ithaca 13 days ago.
Ithaca, who was receiving votes in the d3hoops.com poll, led 55-48 with 5:59 left, but didn’t score a field goal for the remainder of the game. The Cardinals chipped away at the lead and to a 59-58 advantage on a 3-pointer from Portia Velasco with 33 seconds left. After a steal by Brooke Seavitt, Mary Kate
Comfort pushed Fisher’s lead to three with two made three free throws with 24 seconds left. Ithaca converted on 1-of-2 free throws at the other end, but Seavitt, who snagged the defensive rebound with 3.3 seconds left, sealed the win with two free throws.
The Cardinals got it done at the charity stripe, going 9-for-10 for the game, while Ithaca was 7-for-15, including 4-of-10 in the second half.
Nazareth 56, Stevens 53
Nazareth traveled to Hoboken, NJ and came away with a 56-53 win against Stevens as freshmen Lindsey Kelly and Veronica Peck combined for 29 points.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Golden Flyers, who improved to 5-11 overall and 2-4 in the Empire 8. The Ducks dropped to 8-7 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The victory also was the first-ever for the Golden Flyers over the Ducks in women’s basketball. Nazareth had lost the previous 11 meetings with the Ducks, including a 67-60 overtime loss at Nazareth Jan. 5.
To win, Nazareth withstood a valiant second-half comeback by the Ducks, who trailed 30-17 at halftime and by as many as 18 points in the first half before closing to within one point, 54-53, in the closing minute. After Maria Allocco missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw opportunity with :26 left, Kelly grabbed the offensive rebound, drew a foul and sank the two subsequent free throws to seal the win.
Hartwick 74, Houghton 52
Hartwick led by as many as 22 points in the first half and won by a comfortable 74-52 margin over visiting Houghton College in Empire 8 women's basketball action on Friday night at Lambros Arena. The Hawks shot 55% as a team and forced 13 Highlander turnovers in the first half en route to the victory.
Hartwick junior guard Kate Purcell decimated the all-time Hartwick three-point record in the first half. She entered the game needing two threes to set the benchmark. After an early triple, she set the record with a shot from the corner with 5:55 left in the opening half giving 'Wick a 29-16 edge in the process.
Purcell now has 118 three-pointers in only her 67
th career game. She passes former record holder Laura Shockro (2001-2005), who made 117 threes in 104 games played.
With the victory, Hartwick improves to 12-3 overall. The Hawks also up their unbeaten streak to five games. Houghton falls to 8-6 overall. 'Wick received the added bonus of taking over sole possession of first place in the Empire 8 Conference as St. John Fisher upset Ithaca 63-59 this evening.
Maria Foglia led three Hawks in double figures with 20 points. Purcell finished with 10 points and Brittney Dumas added 18 points for the Hawks.
Material from schools websites was used in this report.