PITTSFORD, N.Y. – A late second-half rally by visiting Nazareth came up short Saturday as the Golden Flyers had a five-game women's basketball winning streak snapped at St. John Fisher, 78-73.
In a battle for first place in the Empire 8 Conference standings, the Cardinals improved to 16-2 overall and 8-1 in the E8. Nazareth dropped to 11-6 overall and 6-2 in conference play.
Miyah Sizer led the Golden Flyers with 19 points and
Caley Cornwell added 16.
Chelsea Woodsum delivered nine points off the bench.
Trailing by 11, 59-48, heading into the final 10 minutes, Nazareth outscored Fisher 25-19 in the fourth quarter and closed to within three points, 73-70, late in the game. A 12-3 scoring run helped close the gap as five different players scored. A basket by Cornwell started the run, then
Jadyn Abrams and
Sabrina Wolfe each canned three-pointers to bring Nazareth to within 70-66.
Following a Fisher three-point play, Nazareth followed with baskets by
Miyah Sizer and
Kim Davis to make it 73-70. Fisher prevailed, however, by sinking 5-of-6 free throws in the final 31 seconds.
Nazareth led briefly in the opening period, 8-7, but Fisher used a 12-0 scoring run to secure the lead for good. Nazareth was able to close within five points, 24-19, before quarter's end as Abrams nailed a three-pointer and Woodsum and
Miyah Sizer each completed three-point plays.
The Cardinals opened a double-digit advantage again in the second quarter before settling for a 43-34 edge at the break.
Miyah Sizer scored 12 of her points in the first half to keep the Golden Flyers close.
Fisher extended its lead to 59-48 through three quarters to set the stage for Nazareth's frantic rally. Nazareth wound up shooting 10-for-19 in the fourth quarter and 28-for-63 (.444) for the game. Fisher went 31-for-62 (.500) overall. Davis finished with 10 points and seven rebounds for Nazareth and Wolfe had seven points, seven rebounds and five assists before fouling out late in the game.
Nazareth plays its next four games at home, starting with a 5:30 p.m. tip against Elmira Tuesday. Nazareth and Fisher meet again Feb. 8 at Nazareth at 6 p.m.
