Women's Basketball | 1/20/2024 7:23:00 PM
PITTSFORD, NY – The St. John Fisher University women's basketball team overcame a 20-14 first quarter deficit and a two-point deficit at halftime to beat arch-rival Nazareth University on Saturday, 69-64. The victory, the Cardinals' 12th straight, ensures they stay ahead of the Golden Flyers in the Empire 8 standings and extends the team's win streak over their neighbors down the street to seven. The result also ends Nazareth's program-record winning streak: it was their first loss after 13 straight wins.
After ending the first quarter down six, the Cardinals quickly closed the gap, tying the game at 20 with a 6-0 run. Although the Flyers responded with six points of their own to take a 26-20 lead with 2:41 left in the half, the Cardinals then outscored Nazareth 6-2 the rest of the second quarter to narrow the score to 28-26 at halftime.
The Cardinals pulled ahead in the third quarter, taking the lead for good with a three-pointer by Sidney Tomasso with 2:19 left in the quarter to make it 45-42. Fisher held the lead the rest of the way en route to a seven-point win.
Tomasso led Fisher with 25 points, as the junior also notched seven rebounds and went a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe. Senior Claire Kruszka continued her good play with 15 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Freshman forward Joleen Lusk had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Junior Katie Moravec also scored in double digits, with 10 points.
Fisher returns home on Friday, Jan. 26, to host Russell Sage College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.