ROCHESTER, NY -- Host Nazareth outscored St. John Fisher 23-15 in the fourth quarter Tuesday to rally past the Cardinals for a 48-45 women's basketball victory on Mike Daley Court at the Kidera Gymnasium.
The defeat was the first for the Cardinals in Empire 8 Conference play as they slipped to 13-5 overall and 6-1 in the E8. Nazareth won for the second game in a row to improve to 12-6 overall and 4-3 in conference action.
In a defensive struggle, Nazareth managed just 25 points through the first three quarters and trailed by five, 30-25, heading into the fourth. Senior Rachel Benedict was held to just two points before erupting for eight in the fourth. Freshman Ryann Stefaniak also emerged to add eight points of her own in the final 10 minutes.
The Golden Flyers trailed for much of the game, but stayed close thanks to some solid defense that forced 23 Fisher turnovers. Sophomore Jadyn Abrams finished with 15 points and five steals.
The Golden Flyers finally took the lead with 2:43 left when Benedict converted an old-fashioned three-point play to make the score 40-38. Fisher tied the score on a pair of free throws by Ella Eckert, but Nazareth answered with five straight points to take the lead for good at 45-40. A bucket by Stefaniak and a pair of free throws by Benedict ignited the scoring run that ended with a free throw by Kristen Simmons.
After a string of timeouts by each team, Nazareth hit three free throws in the closing seconds -- one each by Benedict, Abrams and Miyah Sizer -- to preserve the victory.
Benedict finished with 12 rebounds to go with her 10 points and Stefaniak finished with nine points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Golden Flyers have two more games this weekend -- Friday at home against Alfred at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at Houghton at 4.