The University of Saint Francis ratchets up the defensive intensity in the final 20 minutes to cruise to an 84-60 win over Fisher College on Thursday afternoon.
St. Francis outscored Fisher 41-22 in the second half in the Daemen College Classic after leading 43-38 at the break.
Fisher got as close as 43-40 very early in the second half, but USF went on an 8-2 surge to open up a 51-42 lead at 17:50 on an Owen's 3-pointer. The Falcons clawed back within six before USF took complete control 16-3 run over the next seven minutes. St. Francis opened its largest lead of the game when LaRon Bryant hit the second of two free-throw opportunities with 6:28 to play for a 75-56 lead.
Ryan McCorkle led the way for the Falcons with 11 points, while Elijah Chisholm and Dennis Norford each contributed 10. Guard Kyle Murphy dished out 6 assists while Zachary Campbell had a team high 5 rebounds.
Owens led USF scoring with 14 points. Scott Kohne tied Owens for high-game scoring honors with 14, 12 in the first half. Owens finished with eight rebounds, four assists, one blocked shot and four steals.
Fisher shot 43 percent for the game on 23-53 shooting, 48 percent in the first half (14-29) and 38% in the second (9-24). Fisher was 50 percent from the free throw line for the game (11-22) and 30 percent from behind the arc (3-10).
The Cougars shot 43 percent for the game on 30-for-70 shooting, 49 percent in the first half (17-for-35). They shot 74 percent from the free-throw line (20-for-27) and 25 percent from the perimeter (4-for-16). USF outrebounded FC 53-27 in total rebounds, 25-8 on offensive boards.
Fisher returns to action Wednesday, January 4th when they host MCLA in Lynn, MA for their first game in 2012. Tip-off is scheduled for 6PM at Fectau-Leary Gymnasium in Lynn, MA.