PITTSFORD, NY – The Hartwick Women's Basketball team traveled to Rochester to take on the #22 St. John Fisher Cardinals this afternoon in hopes of defeating them a second time this season.  Unfortunately, the hosts built a large enough lead to hold back a great 4^th quarter rally to defeat Hartwick 67-61.  The loss drops the Hawks to 12-6, 7-3 while Fisher improves to 18-2, 10-1.
 
Down 15 to start the final quarter, and 17 just 30 seconds into it, Hartwick ripped off a 14-4 run to get the game back to just a 7 point deficit with just under 4 minutes remaining.  After the teams traded baskets, a couple free throws from the Cardinals brought their lead to 9, but Giuliana Pritchard hit a clutch 3 pointer at the 1:22 mark to bring the game within reach at 56-62.  A next possession steal by Molly Kirby gave the Hawks the ball in a prime spot to potentially bring the game to one possession but a missed shot forced Hartwick to play clock management and foul the hosts. 
 
After Fisher hit 2 from the line, Hartwick called time to advance the ball.  Although Hartwick was unable to connect, offense rebounds from Molly Kirby and Pritchard kept the ball with Hartwick down 8 with only 16 seconds left.  A costly turnover out of the timeout forced Hartwick to foul again where Fisher was able to hit 1 of 2.  A layup from Pritchard and a quick forced turnover led to a Maggie Kirby 3 pointer with 7 seconds to go cutting the lead to just 4.  Unfortunately, time was the enemy as the game ended with a pair of free throws by the hosts to close out the game at 67-61.
 
 Leading the way was Mikyla Mitchell who came off the bench to score 15 points.  She added 3 steals and 2 assists.  Pritchard chipped in with 13 and a team high 6 rebounds followed by Maggie Kirby with 12 and Molly Kirby with 10.  Molly led the Hawks with 4 steals in the contest.
 
The Hawks will spend the night in Rochester and head down the road to play at Nazareth tomorrow.  The tip is set for 1pm.