Sunrise Conference Player of the Year, Williams, leads Fisher to finals

Williams (above) is 38 pts shy of 2,000

Windham, ME – For the third straight year, Fisher College will play for the Sunrise Conference Tournament Championship.

The top seeded Falcons (14-14/9-3/1-0) defeated the #4 seed, College of Saint Joseph’s, 80-65 in the first semi-final game here at Windham High School.

Senior Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA) got the game started as he drilled a 3 pointer just 15 seconds into the game. That would the only lead Fisher would have until the 10:21 mark when senior Christiaan Hammond (Seattle, WA) laid one up to give Fisher the 17-16 lead. Over the next two minutes, Fisher would extend their lead to six before CSJ came roaring back. Trailing 26-24 with three minutes left, junior Dennis Norford (New Haven, CT) scored a basket and hit the ensuing free throw, as he was fouled on the shot, to give the Falcons a 27-26 lead. They would hold on to the lead as the teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half. Senior Oscar Brown’s (Buffalo, NY) buzzer beating tip in gave Fisher a three point lead, 36-33 as the horn sounded.

The second half was all Fisher as two-time Sunrise Conference Player of the Year, senior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) scored 12 of his team high 20 points in the second stanza.

“It was a good win.” Said Williams, who is just 38 points away from 2,000 in his career. “We did what needed to do (win the first game), now it’s all about tomorrow!”

Fisher took control of the game at the 13 minute mark of the second half. After a missed 3-point attempt by freshman Elijah Chisholm (East Boston, MA), Hammond was able to collect the rebound and lay it in to put the team up 52-43. Inside the final 5 minutes, Fisher would continue to limit the St. Joseph’s offense as they allowed the Fightin’ Saints just 7 points while their offense exploded for 14 points.

The Falcons received double-digit point games from Williams (20 points) and Hammond, who added 18. Norford also recorded 17 points while shooting an impressive 6-for-7 from the floor.

The game was won at the free throw line. The Falcons, who entered today’s game shooting at 60%, went 23-for-27 (85.2%) in the victory.

Senior Daniel Nance (Brooklyn, NY) was the defensive standout of the game. His presence inside the paint and ability to take the charge, led the second half surge for Fisher.

Fisher will now take on the winner of the other semi-final game between #2 University of Maine-Fort Kent and #3 Vermont Technical College. Earlier this season, the Falcons were able to beat Maine-Fort Kent twice while dropping two against Vermont Tech.

The 2011 Sunrise Conference Championship Game will be played tomorrow at 3 pm.