PITTSFORD, NY. – Rochester battled back from a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter to surge into the lead before host St. John Fisher rallied for a 71-66 women's basketball victory on Wednesday evening at Fisher's Cardinal Gym.
The Yellowjackets (2-1) ran off a 9-2 run midway through the fourth quarter to climb ahead again. Julianna Okoniewski had six points in the burst. She started it with a layup (59-54 SJFC). After a three-pointer from Hannah Lindemuth and a putback by Alex Sestric, Okoniewski hit a 12 footer just outside the lane to put Rochester up, 61-59. Fisher tied it on a pair of free throws from Kaitlyn Walker but Okoniewski answered with a six-footer off the right baseline (63-61 with 3:27 left).
Rochester's shooting turned chilly and Fisher (2-0) scored six straight for a 67-63 lead in the last minute. Callie McCulley made one free throw and after UR stole the ball, she scored on a putback to cut the deficit to one point, 67-66 with 10 seconds left. Rochester was forced to foul and the Cardinals hit 4-4 from the line in that 10-second stretch.
Lindemuth led Rochester with 18 points, including four 3-pointers. She added four assists and four steals. McCulley scored 15 with seven rebounds and three blocks. Alex Sestric added 15 points (three 3-pointers and four assists). Okoniewski drew double-coverage in the low block. She scored eight points and pulled down seven rebounds. Abby Cress had eight points and four rebounds.
Fisher's leader was Walker. She scored 14 points and had 11 rebounds – all at Rochester's end of the floor. Miranda Lynch scored 13 to accompany six rebounds. Hannah Morse had 11 points, five assists, and four rebounds.
Rochester shot 38% from the field for the game (26-69), a little bit better in the second half (15-38, 40%). The Yellowjackets made eight treys. Fisher shot 49% from the floor in the game (25-51), 14-22 in the second half (64%). The Cardinals made seven treys and were 14-19 from the line (74%). Fisher held the rebounding edge,. 41-32. Rochester took advantage of 19 Cardinal turnovers, producing 25 points from the giveaways.
The Yellowjackets will play an exhibition at Niagara County Community College on Friday evenng. On Sunday, UR will host Clarkson University at the Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester. The game will tip off at 1 pm. It is closed to spectators.