Thompson Has Career-Best Performance As Men’s Basketball Hands RPI First Loss

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Whenever the St. John Fisher University men’s basketball team has needed a clutch play so far this season, senior guard Cole Thompson has been the one to produce more often than not. 

On Monday, he made those plays all game long, particularly in the second half. 

Thompson set career highs in points (25), field goals made (10 of 16) and 3-pointers made (5 of 9) in the Cardinals’ 74-62 victory over previously unbeaten Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which entered the contest having allowed the fewest points per game in Division III (51.3). 

The Cardinals won their second straight game and moved to 4-5 on the season. RPI dropped to 9-1. 

“This a huge win for us heading into conference play,” Thompson said. “We knew we needed to get a win today. We knew this would be a tough game and that they (RPI) were a great team. But we have dudes that fight. We are a really gritty team – we play well together and have a great locker room. We play hard and play for one another. At the end of the day, we know good things are going to happen.”

After trailing the entire first half – RPI led by five, 36-31, at halftime – the Cardinals (and Thompson) could do no wrong in the second half. 

The Cardinals began an 11-4 run with 13:07 left and took the lead about three minutes later on a 3-pointer from junior guard Max Schneider, who finished with 16 points on 5 of 8 shooting (3 of 5 from three). He had 10 points in the second half while shooting 4 of 5 overall and 2 of 3 from downtown. 

Fisher never trailed from that point on and eventually led by as many as 14 points. 

Thompson scored seven of his 17 second-half points as the Cardinals pulled away from RPI. His 3-pointer with 6:50 remaining gave the Cardinals a seven-point cushion, their largest lead to that point of the contest. 

Thompson shot 7 of 10 overall and 3 of 5 from three in the final 20 minutes. 

“I felt really good today,” Thompson said. “Some shots dropped – guys found me. I had a hot hand and they kept finding me. Credit to those guys. They made plays for me and caught me at the right times. I was able to hit the shots. Credit to my teammates. Today was just my day.”

Thompson has come up big for the Cardinals with every chance he’s had so far this season.  

In a victory over Union in November, he tied the game at 73 with a triple at the end of regulation before knocking down another big 3-pointer in overtime to extend Fisher’s lead. On Sunday, in a 58-56 win over Penn State Behrend, he made a layup through contact to break a 53-53 tie with under two minutes remaining. He completed three three-point play at the foul line. 

“It’s a big confidence thing,” Thompson said. “When you make big plays, your confidence grows.”

The Cardinals’ 74 points marked the most RPI has allowed this season. RPI hadn’t given more than 60 points in any of its previous nine games. 

Fisher as a team set season highs in 3-pointers made (12 of 24) and 3-point percentage (50%). The Cardinals shot nearly 60% from the field in the second half. 

Senior forward Eric Kegler, junior forward Louis Fay and sophomore guard Giovanni Schillacieach scored six points. Schillaci knocked down a season-high two 3-pointers in the first half. 

Senior forward Connor Williams and freshman forward Maximus Michalski chipped in four points. Williams led Fisher with six rebounds. 

Up Next

The Cardinals begin Empire 8 Conference play at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Alfred University. 

Men’s Basketball Holds On For 58-56 Victory Over Penn State Behrend

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher men’s basketball team made a handful of key plays late as it held on to beat Penn State Behrend 58-56 in the opening game of the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa Tournament on Sunday evening at Manning and Napier Varsity Gym. 

The Cardinals, who played their first game since Dec. 7, improved to 3-5 overall with the victory. Penn State Behrend dropped to 5-5 with its fourth loss in six games. 

How It Happened 

• The Cardinals led 14-7 through the first six minutes of the first half after layups by senior guard Cole Thompson and freshman forward Maximus Michalski. Penn State Behrend quickly trimmed its deficit to one (16-15) on a 3-pointer by Tommy Dirienzo and a layup by Nate Edwards. 
• The Cardinals outscored the Lions 14-7 the rest of the first half en route to a 30-22 halftime lead. Senior forward Connor Williams led the Cardinals with six points in the first 20 minutes, while junior guard Max Schneider chipped in six. Senior guard Cole Thompson and senior forward Eric Keglerhad four points apiece. 
• Williams, Kegler and junior forward Louis Fay made layups as part of a 6-3 run that pushed the Cardinals’ lead to a game-high 11 points (36-25) early in the second half. 
• While the Cardinals led almost the entire half, the Lions kept the game within reach and eventually pulled even. They went on an 8-2 run over about two minutes and tied the game at 53 on Sam Petrarca’s layup with 2:07 remaining in the contest. 
• Thompson made the play of the game out of a timeout, making a layup through contact to put the Cardinals back in front. He completed the 3-point play at the free-throw line to give Fisher a 56-53 lead. 
• With time expiring, Michalski blocked Dirienzo’s game-winning 3-point attempt to secure the victory. 

Fisher Notes

• Williams led the Cardinals with 13 points while shooting 4 of 11 from the field and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line. He also pulled down 10 rebounds as part of his second double-double this season and the third of his career. 
• Michalski scored six points while shooting 3 of 3 from the field and blocked a season-high three shots. 
• Schneider shot 3 of 7 overall, 2 of 4 from 3-point range and 2 of 2 from the free-throw line while scoring 10 points. He also amassed five rebounds, two assists and two steals. 
• The Cardinals outscored the Lions by 24 (40-16) in the paint. They also finished with an 18-13 edge in bench points. 

Up Next

The Cardinals face RPI (9-0) at 3 p.m. on Monday to conclude the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa Tournament. RPI beat SUNY Canton 62-48 in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader at Manning and Napier Varsity Gym. 

• The Cardinals are 3-1 all-time against RPI. 
• Monday’s contest will mark the first meeting between the teams since Dec. 30, 2017. Fisher won that game, 76-75.