PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher University women's basketball team hosted their season opener against Buffalo State College on Tuesday. The Cardinals dominated play from the start and after 40 minutes came out on top, winning 80-49 over the Bengals. Fisher moves to 1-0 on the year, while the Bengals fall to 0-1.

Presleigh Brunner started the scoring for the Cardinals just ten seconds in with a 3-point shot, assisted by Katie Moravec. Claire Kruszka took the next shot for Fisher, another good 3-pointer to start the momentum for the Cardinals. From the jump, the team took the lead and never let up. The biggest advantage in the first quarter was 14 points on a jump shot by Emilia Johnson on an Emily McLaughlin assist. Despite the Bengals cutting their deficit to single digits, Fisher proceeded to use their full-court press to pull away. They went on an 18-2 run to jump in front 44-20 with four minutes to play. At the half, the team was up 50-23.

The Cardinals had six fast break shots in the first 20 minutes, contributing to their overall success. To end the half Moravec finished with 12 points going 3-for-3 on her free-throw attempts. Kruszka finished 4-for-4 on her shooting with 9 points. Brunner contributed six points in the first half during her collegiate debut, as well as collecting six rebounds.

To start the second half of play, Kruszka and Kaitlyn Walker made the first four points on free throws. With 1:20 lef in the third, the Cardinals were up by 42 points, their greatest lead of the day and it came after an 18-2 run. The Bengals outscored Fisher 16-9 in the final frame, but the Cardinals came away with the 80-49 victory.

The team went 40% on Field Goals and 68% for Free Throws on the day. Katie Moravec led the team in points with 16 on the night and added five assists. Kruszka recorded 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting from the field.

Up next for the Cardinals, they will travel to University Heights to participate in the John Carroll Tip-Off Tournament. They will play against Hiram College on November 11th at 5:00 p.m. and Allegheny College on November 12th at 12:00 pm.

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