Strong Shooting Performance Leads Fisher Past Utica

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Four players scored in double-figures as the St. John Fisher College men's basketball team used a 14-3 run in the opening minutes of the game to storm past host Utica College 92-69 on Tuesday.

With the win, Fisher ends a four-game skid and moves to 12-9 overall and 6-5 in the Empire 8 standings. Utica falls to 1-10 in the conference and 6-14 this season.

The Cardinals were firing on all cylinders, scoring a season-high 50 points in the first half en route to their best shooting performance of the season as Fisher converted nearly 64% of its shots from the field in the win.

Charles McVay scored a career-high 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting to go along with three rebounds. Chaz Lott nearly tallied a double-double with 18 points and nine assists. He also came up with six steals, which established a new career-high for the sophomore guard. Keegan Ryan notched his sixth double-double of the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds, which is a new career-high, while Tyler Hart has 12 points and four assists.

Stefan Bock got the night started for Fisher after draining a jumper to spark Fisher's run. A three-pointer by Hart gave Fisher a 12-2 lead before Ryan banked one home to cap Fisher's run at 14-3.

After exchanging baskets, Utica used a 7-0 run to close the gap to 18-15 with 11:37 left in the game, but Fisher would stretch its lead to 17-points after a 13-4 run that was fueled by McVay, who scored 10 points during the streak.

The Cardinals would continue to pour it on as the half neared an end, scoring six unanswered points to enjoy a 50-28 lead as the halftime horn sounded.

Fisher continued its strong play in the second half, as the visitors opened up a 30-point lead, 67-37 after a 17-7 spurt that was completed as Bock found a cutting Adam Ambielli for the lay-up.

The lead would be extended to 34 points before the Pioneers were able to cut the deficit to 21 points, 76-55, but that was as close as Utica would get. The Cardinals would outscore the Pioneers 10-3 over the next several minutes to seal the win.

The Cardinals will return to the hardwood at 6 p.m. on Friday when they welcome Houghton College to Manning and Napier Varsity Gymnasium.