Box Score Box | Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Visiting St. John Fisher rallied to outscore Nazareth 52-31 in the second half Tuesday as the Cardinals defeated Nazareth in an Empire 8 Conference women's basketball game, 86-68, at the Kidera Gymnasium.

Nazareth dropped to 7-10 overall, including 2-5 in conference play. Fisher improved to 12-6 overall and 5-3 in the Empire 8.

Nazareth led 37-34 after the first 20 minutes, but Fisher continued to shoot the ball well from the field in the second half as the Cardinals connected on 17 of 29 second-half shots (58.6 percent) to rally past the Golden Flyers. The Cardinals also shot well from the foul line, where they hit on 16 of 18 shots (88.9 percent).

Mary Kate Cusack led Fisher with 21 points on 7 for 11 shooting with three three-point baskets. Portia Velasco added 18 on 7 for 10 shooting with five assists. Lindsey Kelly paced Nazareth with 18 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Julia Brew contributed 16 points with three three-pointers and Veronica Peck had eight points and five assists.

Kelly scored eight of her points in the first half to lift Nazareth to a three-point advantage. In the second half, Nazareth still led 46-43 following a basket by Melissa Reeves with less than 17 minutes to go, but Fisher answered by scoring eight straight points to go up 51-46 and the Cardinals never trailed again.

Brew completed a three-point play for Nazareth with 6:36 left to keep Nazareth within four, 62-58, but Fisher pulled away again, this time pushing the lead to double digits in the closing minutes.

Nazareth made 23 of 58 shots from the field (39.7 percent) with a 7-for-22 showing from three-point range. Nazareth also sank 15 of 18 foul shots (83.3 percent).

Nazareth is on the road this weekend for Empire 8 Conference games at Hartwick Friday at 8 p.m. and at Stevens Saturday at 6:30 p.m.