Leah Fusilli driving vs St. John Fisher
Audrey Marino
66
Winner Nazareth NAZARETH 21-4, 15-1
51
St. John Fisher ST. JOHN 12-13, 9-7
Winner
Nazareth NAZARETH
21-4, 15-1
66
Final
51
St. John Fisher ST. JOHN
12-13, 9-7
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Nazareth NAZARETH 16 18 14 18 66
St. John Fisher ST. JOHN 10 19 14 8 51

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Women’s Basketball Caps Regular Season with Win Over Fisher, 66-51

ROCHESTER, NY (nazathletics.com) - Nazareth Women's Basketball (21-4, 15-1) capped off the regular season with a 66-51 victory over crosstown-rival St. John Fisher (12-13, 9-7). The regular-season champions and the No.1 seed for the upcoming Empire 8 Tournament, the Golden Flyers concluded their slate on a 13 game win-streak dating back to Jan. 10. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 
  • Nazareth fell behind 2-0 early before Kiara Anglin notched a layup to tie the game.  Madalyn Kelly and Molly Benetti then scored on back-to-back inside looks to give the Golden Flyers a 6-4 edge midway through the first quarter. Nazareth answered each early St. John Fisher basket and closed the period on top, 16-10.
  • The second quarter featured multiple lead changes as the Cardinals briefly moved in front at 24-23 and 29-27. Anglin attacked the rim for a pair of finishes and a free throw, while Payton Littlefield knocked down a 3-pointer to swing momentum back. Benetti and Leah Fusilli added strong takes inside, helping Nazareth carry a 34-29 lead into halftime.
  • Nazareth protected its halftime lead throughout the third, answering each St. John Fisher push to prevent a lead change. Benetti scored on a pair of interior finishes and Anglin added a jumper to steady the offense during a stretch of empty trips. With both teams scoring 14 in the quarter, the Golden Flyers maintained control and carried a 48-43 advantage into the fourth.
  • Early in the fourth, Anglin buried a 3-pointer and converted at the line to spark a decisive run. After the score tightened to 56-49, Katie MacLachlan drove for a layup and Benetti followed with another finish inside to extend the margin to double digits, 60-49.
  • Nazareth's defense took over in the final six minutes, forcing turnovers that Anglin turned into transition opportunities. Benetti added a late bucket in the paint and Jordyn Gross capped the scoring with a layup as the Golden Flyers closed on a 10-2 surge.
  • The Golden Flyers controlled the final stretch on both ends, outscoring Fisher 18-8 in the fourth quarter to secure a 66-51 road victory. 
GAME NOTES 
  • Molly Benetti led the Golden Flyers with 20 points in tonight's regular-season finale, her fourth performance with 20 or more points. She shot 56 percent from the field with five rebounds and four blocks. 
  • Kiara Anglin posted her fifth double-double of the year with 17 points and a team-high 11 rebounds over the Cardinals. The senior guard added a team-best four steals to bring her season total to 76. 
UP NEXT 
Nazareth will host No. 8 Alfred in the quarterfinal round of the Empire 8 Championship this Saturday, Feb 21st. Tip off is slated for 2 p.m. inside Kidera Gymnasium. 

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