Flyers win Nazareth Invitational, 58-43
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth surged to a 17-2 lead in the opening minutes of the first half and went on to outscore visiting St. Mary's College 58-43 in the title game of the women's Nazareth Invitational. Senior Brittany Wilson had a team-high 13 points, followed by senior Katie Kollar with 12 points. Wilson also collected 10 rebounds and added two blocked shots.
With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve to 6-3 overall. The Seahawks fall to 4-8 overall following the loss. Senior Danielle Chamberlain earned tournament MVP honors and Wilson was also named to the all-tournament team. Shana Lewis earned all-tournament honors for St. Mary's. Tyana Hale of John Jay and Gina Palazzi from Susquehanna were the other all-tournament recipients.
In addition to the points from Wilson and Kollar, senior Ashley Gallagher tallied eight points and seniors Brittany TallChief, Danielle Chamberlain, and Erica Shaw scored six points apiece. Senior Brittany Patenaude finished with five points while Chamberlain had a game-high eight assists.
Bridget Wilkins finished with a game-high 17 points for St. Mary's. Shana Lewis tallied 12 points and collected a team-high eight rebounds.
After Nazareth built its initial lead, the Golden Flyers only allowed St. Mary's to close to within six points, 38-32, with 9:51 to play in the second half. On the Golden Flyers, ensuing possession, Chamberlain connected on a three-point basket to extend Nazareth's lead back to nine points. The Golden Flyers had a game-high 16-point lead once in the first half and five times in the second half to thwart the Seahawks' attempt to rally.
Wilson scored Nazareth's first points of the game with a three-point basket, followed by a three-pointer by Kollar. Wilson added a jumper, then Patenaude conneted on a three-point shot to stretch the Golden Flyers' lead to 11-0 with 15:25 to play in the opening period. Gallagher and Shaw finished the run with a total of six points. Gallagher had two layups sandwiched around a two-point jumper by Shaw. The Golden Flyers' stingy defense held the Seahawks without a field goal until Wilkins connected on her three-point attempt with 9:52 remaining in the first half. For the game, Nazareth's defense held St. Mary's to 23 percent (14-60) from the field.
The Golden Flyers built and sustained their lead with timely three-point shooting. Nazareth finished shooting 40 perfcent (10-25) from beyond the arc with four different players recording at least one three-point basket. Kollar finished with four threes to lead all players.
The Golden Flyers open their Empire 8 schedule in their next games. Nazareth travels to Utica on January 6th, then travels to Ithaca January 7th. The Golden Flyers return to the Kidera Gymnasium for a non-conference game against Maine-Fort Kent on January 10th.