With the win, Fisher earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship, marking the program’s 12th NCAA-bid in the last 15 years. The Cardinals (24-3) are currently ranked No. 16 nationally and No. 1 in the NCAA Division III East Region.
The Cardinals took the lead for good, jumping out to a 16-4 lead over the game’s opening 14:56. Fisher knocked down five 3-pointers to open the game, with the last one being a four-point-play from Mike McGee.
Utica (21-6), who trailed 35-25 at intermission, cut the Fisher-lead to seven points on two occasions, but couldn’t get any closer, as the Cardinals used a 9-2 spurt over a four-minute span late in the game to pull away.
McGee led the Cardinals with 19 points, including three 3-pointers. Nick Bennett scored a season-high 17 points, connecting on 6-of-9 shots, including three 3-pointers.Sean O’Brien added 12 points and seven assists, while Dan McSweeney added nine points.
Ray Bryant finished with 20 points, while Willie Lucas and Justin Cichon each finished with 13.
The Pioneers shot a solid 52.8% from the floor, but Fisher finished with a 35-25 advantage in rebounds and limited the Pioneers to just three offensive boards.
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