PITTSFORD, NY – The St. John Fisher Cardinals overcame a five point second quarter deficit to remain undefeated in Empire 8 conference play, defeating the visiting Houghton Highlanders on Saturday afternoon, 77-56.
 
Looking to avenge 49-point loss from earlier this season, the Highlanders played the Cardinals tough from the opening tip. 
 
The two teams traded leads throughout the opening quarter before St. John Fisher took a one-point lead in the closing seconds on a three-point play. 
 
Houghton rallied in the second, eventually building a five-point advantage after Kayla Camacho drained three consecutive three-pointers.
 
But the Cardinals closed the half on a 12-0 run, sending the teams to the break with Fisher leading, 34-27.
 
While the Highlanders kept pace with the Cardinals shooting in the second half, Houghton turned the ball over 11 times, compared to only six for Fisher. 
 
On the day, the Cardinals also converted 88.6% of their free throws (23-for-26), while Houghton shot only 7-for-15 from the line.
 
In the final 20 minutes, the Cardinals outpaced the Highlanders, 43-29. 

St. John Fisher has now won 16 games in a row.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 56 | St. John Fisher – 77
Records: Houghton: 14-6 (7-6 Empire 8) | St. John Fisher: 19-2 (14-0 Empire 8)
Venue: Manning & Napier Varsity Gymnasium, St. John Fisher University | Attendance: N/A

NOTABLE STATS
>> In her first career start, Hannah Siewert played 38 minutes and went 4-for-4 from the floor for a career-high 10 points.
 
>> Carlee Miller added 10 points and Camacho chipped in 11.  Miller has reached double-digit points in 16 of the team's 20 games this season, while Camacho has accomplished the feat in five of the team's last eight games.
 
>> Crysta Lacrosse dished out a career-high nine assists, while also adding nine points for the Highlanders.
 
UP NEXT
Houghton will return home this Tuesday, February 7 to host a critical Empire 8 matchup with the Elmira Soaring Eagles at 5:30pm.  Elmira currently holds fourth place in the conference standings with an 8-6 record, while the Highlanders sit fifth at 7-6.  Houghton won their previous meeting at Elmira, 55-53.