PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher Cardinals capitalized on a 22-point effort from Caroline Robertson.to avenge a loss to the Houghton Highlanders earlier this month, 48-42. 
 
Houghton led for nearly 70 percent of the game and entered the fourth quarter with a three-point lead, but struggled to get their offense going until the final minutes.
 
Brittany Lenart, who scored 17 fourth-quarter points to lead the Highlanders in a dramatic comeback victory over the Utica Pioneers on Saturday, nearly pulled off a another heroic feat, nailing back-to-back threes in the waning moments of the game to pull Houghton within three inside of one minute remaining. 
 
The Cardinals, however, sank three free throws down the stretch to pull out the victory.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 42 | St. John Fisher – 48
Records: Houghton: 8-9, 2-6 Empire 8 | St. John Fisher: 7-9, 4-3 Empire 8
Venue: Manning & Napier Varsity Gymnasium, St. John Fisher College| Attendance: 300

Key Moments
>> Houghton jumped out to an early lead, reeling off the game's first seven points and ending the first quarter up by seven as Lenart sank a jumper in the final minute.
 
>> Fisher slowly clawed their way back into the game, and in the final seconds of the half Jessica Rhone sank a layup to send the teams to the lockers in a 16-16 tie.
 
>> After trading baskets throughout the third, Houghton finally appeared to break through when Lenart sank a pair of free throws and Hannah Manwaring converted a three-point play to go up by five. 
 
The Cardinals, however, sank a layup to close the quarter down by only three.
 
>> Fisher finally broke the stalemate halfway through the fourth when they hit two layups and four-of-five free throws to go up by seven.
 
With less than a minute remaining Lenart drained her first three of the night.
 
After a pair of free throws put the Cardinals back up by four, Lenart again nailed a three.
 
On the ensuing play, Houghton stole the inbounds pass and had an open look from beyond the arch but could not get the shot to fall.  Fisher then sank three-of-four from the line to put the game out of reach.
 
Key Stats
>> In what proved to be a defensive matchup, the Cardinals posted only seven points in the first quarter and the Highlanders scored only two in the second.  On the night, Fisher shot 24 percent from the floor while the Houghton shot 26 percent.
 
>> The Cardinals held advantages in rebounds (47-40), blocks (7-3), and turnovers (17-23).

>> Lenart led the Highlanders in scoring for the second consecutive game, posting 12 points, while Elle Reed added nine points and six rebounds.
 
>> Hannah Manwaring pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds and added seven points for the Highlanders.
 
>> In addition to her game-high 22 points, Robertson also collected 15 rebounds and three steals for the Cardinals.  Nicole Robinson also added five blocked shots.

Next Time Out
Houghton travels to Alfred University on Thursday to take on the cross-county rival Saxons at 6:00 p.m.