Box | Updated stats
PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Host St. John Fisher outscored Nazareth 12-6 in overtime Tuesday to take a key women's basketball victory in Empire 8 Conference play, 71-65, over the Golden Flyers at Fisher's Manning & Napier Gym.

Fisher improved to 3-3 in Empire 8 Conference play and 7-9 overall. Nazareth also is 3-3 in conference games and 7-8 overall. It was Fisher's second victory over the Golden Flyers this season. Fisher also won a non-conference game, 70-49, in the Wendy's College Classic. The teams meet again Feb. 15 at Nazareth.

Senior Colleen Maloney led Fisher with 23 points, including the first five in overtime to give the Cardinals the lead for good. Sophomore Jenee Vanderstyne scored a career-high 19 points for the Golden Flyers, including all six of Nazareth's overtime points.

Fisher led 43-33 after two free throws by Lauren Gustin with 10:43 left, but Nazareth rallied to force overtime. The Golden Flyers finally regained the lead, 50-49, following a three-point play by Vanderstyne with 4:37 left. They extended the lead to four points, 55-51, after a three-pointer by Brittany Patenaude with 3:16 to go.

Fisher came back behind a pair of baskets by Meghan Soja and two free throws by Stephanie Sweeney. Vanderstyne and Brittany TallChief each sank two free throws for Nazareth, before Soja nailed two more to force overtime with the score tied at 59-59.

Each team had chances in overtime, but Fisher sealed the win by scoring the first nine points. Maloney hit a basket and a three-pointer and Soja sank two more foul shots. Maloney completed the run on a basket with :31 left.

Nazareth scored the game's first 10 points – all by junior Brittany Wilson -- and kept the Cardinals scoreless until 12:22 remained in the half.

Fisher slowly worked its way back and led 27-25 at the half. Wilson led all first-half scorers with 14 points, but didn't score thereafter. Junior Katie Kollar added six on a pair of three-pointers. Maloney and Sweeney each scored eight in the first half for Fisher.

Kollar's second three of the half gave Nazareth a 25-24 lead with 1:29 left. Sweeney hit a free throw and Maloney made two more to give Fisher the halftime lead.

In addition to Vanderstyne and Wilson, Kollar finished with nine points, Patenaude eight and TallChief seven.

Nazareth returns to action Friday for another E8 Conference game at Utica at 6 p.m.