Fisher's Offense Too Much for Men's Basketball

Elmira, NY - First year forward Chris Baltz scored a game high 17 points to lead the St. John Fisher (18-5, 9-3 Empire 8) over the Soaring Eagles (2-10, 1-10 Empire 8) in today's conference game. 

Along with Baltz two other players from Fisher scored double figures in scoring, Justin Beigel finished with 15 points while Dan Mueller scored 11 points.  EC's top performers today was fourth year forward Matt Keating '07 who tallied 13 points and second year guard Joe Prunier '07 who tied the game high 17 points. 

Today's game started off with it truly being anyone's game in the first few minutes of action.  EC came out firing with Prunier scoring his first of two three point baskets.  Pruniers three pointer was then followed up by Keating on a made field goal give EC the 5-2 lead.  Mueller tied the game at 5 a piece with a three point basket of his own.  Beigel then scored a three point basket to give Fisher their first lead of the game.  First year player KC Mendez '10 recorded a three point basket of his own to tie the game at the 15:59 mark. 

Despite offensive surges throughout the first half EC would tie the game 2 more times but woudl never be able to take the lead.  However in the final seconds of the half EC had closed the 9 point deficit that Fisher had established to only 2 points. 

With EC only down by 2 at the half it truly seemed like EC was going to upset one of the conference more dominant teams, but all that ended when Fisher went on a 18-0 scoring streak in the first 10 minutes of the second half.  EC ended the scoring drought at the 9:57 mark on a free-throw from Keating.  At this point the Cardinals had a 31 point lead and truly had secured the victory.  The Soaring Eagles did everything they could to spark some type of offensive life, but it was too little to late for the Purple and Gold falling to Fisher by the score of 60-86. 

Men's basketball will now face Ithaca College on Tuesday, February 13 at 8 p.m. at Speidel Gym in an Empire 8 conference game.

Box Score