Nazareth routs Cazenovia, 71-38
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth defeated visiting Cazenovia 71-38 on Saturday evening in the Golden Flyers' first game of Onnie's Classic, hosted by Nazareth College. Senior Brittany Wilson finished with a game-high 15 points and collected five rebounds for the Golden Flyers. Senior Brittany Patenaude added 13 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
Following the victory, Nazareth remains undefeated and improves to 2-0. The Wildcats fall to 0-1 in their first game of the season. The Golden Flyers play Smith at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Smith defeated Brockport 69-43 in their Saturday evening contest. Brockport will play against Cazenovia at 3 p.m.
The Golden Flyers surged to a 13-2 lead in the first 3:23 and extended their advantage to a game-high 33 points in the final minute of regulation following a basket by freshman Michelle Melanson. Nazareth's early lead was ignited by Patenaude, who scored the Golden Flyers' first points of the game. During the opening scoring run, Wilson had two two-point baskets, which were followed by a three-point basket by senior Danielle Chamberlain, and capped off by senior Brittany TallChief.
The Wildcats attempted to cut into the Golden Flyers' lead, trimming their deficit to six points with 15:11 to play in regulation, but Nazareth responded with an 8-0 run to reclaim its double-digit lead, 21-7. The Golden Flyers tallied 15 steals and forced Cazenovia into 31 turnovers. Nazareth finished 26-65 (40 percent) from the field and held the Wildcats to 13-44 (30 percent), including 3-21 (14 percent) from the floor in the second half. The Golden Flyers' 49-33 rebounding advantage provided Nazareth with additional scoring opportunities.
The Golden Flyers' tenacious defense limited the Wildcats to 13 points in the second half and only eight points in the final 12:54. Senior Erica Shaw had a team-high three steals, and 10 players recorded at least one steal.
In addition to the points from Wilson and Patenaude, Shaw added seven points while sophomore Jessica Huang, freshman Maria Allocco, and TallChief each added six points apiece. Nazareth demonstrated its depth as all 18 Golden Flyers saw action and 13 players recorded points.
Erin O'Malley recorded a team-high 10 points for Cazenovia, followed by Megan McDermott, who finished with seven points.