PITTSFORD, NY – The top-seeded St. John Fisher Cardinals punched their ticket to the NCAA Division III tournament, overcoming a sizable first half deficit to defeat the third-seeded Houghton Highlanders, 66-55.
 
Houghton raced out to an early 20-8 lead, thanks in large part to 11 first-quarter points from Kayla Camacho, but the Cardinals closed the quarter on an 8-0 run to rim the Houghton lead to only four points.
 
At that point the Highlanders went cold.  After hitting nearly 53 percent of their shots over the first 10 minutes, Houghton converted only 2-of-13 shots (15 percent) in the second quarter, as Fisher took a 37-31 lead into the break.
 
Houghton's shooting woes continued in the third, as the Highlanders hit only 3-of-18 shots from the floor, and the Cardinals lengthened their advantage to 12 points, 51-39.
 
While Houghton's statistical efforts improved over the final 10 minutes, every rally attempt was met with a response from Fisher, who kept the Highlanders at bay for the win.

The Cardinals have won the tournament each of the last three years, and have hoisted the title trophy eight times in program history.
  
GAME VITALS
Score: #3 Houghton – 55 | #1 St. John Fisher – 66
Records: #3 Houghton: 23-5 |#1 St. John Fisher: 23-4
Venue: Manning & Napier Varsity Gymnasium, St. John Fisher University | Attendance: 270

NOTABLE STATS
>> While Houghton won the turnover battle, 13-10, the Cardinals dominated the boards, outrebounding the Highlanders, 48-33.
 
>> Houghton was whistled for 20 personal fouls, and the Cardinals converted 15-of-20 shots from the line.  Fisher drew nine personal fouls, and Houghton sank 6-of-9 from the charity stripe.
 
>> The Highlanders finished the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 23-5, the second-most wins in program history, and the highest winning percentage (in a full season).
 
>> Kayla Camacho finished with a game-high 24 points, hitting 10-of-22 shots, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.  She also added four rebounds and four steals.  An Empire 8 First Team selection this season, Camacho led the Highlanders in scoring this season with 422 points (15.1 ppg), and finished third in the Empire 8.  After two years with the Highlanders she scored 677 points.  This season Camacho scored 10 points or more 24 times, and 20 points or more seven times.
 
>> Trinity Copeland capped her one-year Houghton career with eight rebounds and five assists.  The Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Year led the Highlanders in both rebounds (173) and steals (74), the latter of which led the Empire 8, as well.
 
>> Empire 8 Player of the Year, Sidney Tomasso, led the Cardinals with 21 points and six rebounds, going 6-of-13 from the floor, and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line.