Kelly Dunne

Women's Basketball

Nazareth holds on to defeat Fisher, 61-59

Dunne connects on two free throws with 4 seconds to play

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Junior Kelly Dunne connected on two free throws with 4.0 seconds left to lead the visiting Golden Flyers to a 61-59 Empire 8 Conference victory over St. John Fisher. The Cardinals' Stephanie Sweeney dribbled the length of the court and had a chance to tie the game at buzzer, but her shot bounced off the side of the rim to seal the Golden Flyers' victory.

Nazareth improved to 9-6 overall and 3-3 in Empire 8 games with the victory and moved into sole possession of fourth place. Fisher dropped to 10-6 overall and 3-4 in conference games.

The Golden Flyers trailed by nine points with about six minutes remaining in the first half before cutting Fisher's lead to 35-31 at halftime. The Golden Flyers temporarily claimed a one-point lead following a basket by freshman Brittany Patenaude with 1:08 left in the half, but the Cardinals scored the final six points to reclaim the lead.

Dunne opened the second half with a two-point basket to cut the Golden Flyers' deficit to 35-33. Nazareth took a 39-37 lead with 16:20 left in the second half after freshman Brittany Wilson and sophomore Mary Holland connected on a three-point baskets to build on the Golden Flyers' scoring run. 

After Fisher cut Nazareth's lead to three points, senior Sally Wilcox connected on a three-point shot to reclaim the Golden Flyers' six-point lead. Senior Lizzie Barlow then added a layup to stretch Nazareth's lead to 53-45 with just under 8:00 remaining.

Nazareth's defense held the Cardinals to 10 points through the first 14:56 of the second half, which allowed the Golden Flyers to build their lead. The Cardinals, however, rallied in the final five minutes to eventually tie the game 59-59.

Kristen Taliento began Fisher's rally as she connected on a three-point play to cut Nazareth's lead to 57-52. After the Cardinals added a free throw, Colleen Maloney connected on a two-point jumper to cut Nazareth's lead to two points with 1:51 left. After Barlow answered for Nazareth with a layup, the Cardinals' Mary Kate Comfort connected on two free throws to cut Nazareth's lead to 59-57.

Maloney tied the game for Fisher with 14 seconds to play, which set up Dunne's dramatic free throws to give the Golden Flyers the 61-59 lead. The play started when Dunne drove to the basket and was fouled by Taliento.

Wilcox and Barlow each finished with 10 points to lead Nazareth in scoring. Holland and freshman Katie Kollar each added nine points. Barlow and Kollar each had eight rebounds for the Golden Flyers.

Dunne finished with seven points despite limited playing time in the first half as she struggled with foul trouble. The Golden Flyers also missed Rachel Pirozzolo, who did not play due to an illness.

Nazareth is in action again Tuesday evening as the Golden Flyers host Alfred at 6 p.m.
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