ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Four Nazareth players finished in double-digits in scoring to provide the host Golden Flyers with an 88-78 victory over Utica in a men's Empire 8 conference basketball game on Saturday afternoon. Nazareth connected on nine of 10 free throws in the final 1:44 to secure the victory. Sophomore Brad Ford amassed a game-high 18 points after finishing the contest 6-8 from the field, including 2-3 from beyond the three-point arc. Sophomore Scott Hayford tied his career-high with 12 points, and he collected a team-high 12 rebounds.
With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve to 15-7 overall and 8-3 in conference games. The Pioneers fall to 7-15 overall and 3-8 in Empire 8 contests after suffering the loss. Nazareth currently stands in third place in the conference standings, one game behind Stevens and Hartwick. Stevens defeated Alfred and Hartwick knocked off Elmira in their Saturday games. The Golden Flyers host Hartwick and Stevens in pivotal conference games on the 10th and 11th, respectively. Ithaca stands in fourth place in the standings with a 7-4 conference record.
Nazareth pulled away midway through the second period following a three-point basket by freshman Jamell Johnson, which provided the Golden Flyers with a six-point lead. After trading baskets, Nazareth stretched its advantage to 10 points, 66-56, following a three-point basket and two free throws by Ford. Ford's free throws gave the Golden Flyers a double-digit lead with roughly nine minutes remaining in regulation. Ford had his five-point explosion in just 10 seconds. Ford connected on his three, then stole the ball from Utica's Chris Jeffers and drew a foul.
Senior Phil Scaffidi provided Nazareth with its first 12-point advantage after connecting on two free throws with 2:48 to play. The Pionners closed to within six points twice in the final 1:11 but never seriously threatened the Golden Flyers' lead. Nazareth's free throw shooting maintained the Golden Flyers' advantage. Junior Tyshun Stephens finished 7-8 from the charity stripe as Nazareth connected on nine of its 10 opportunities.
Stephens and senior Jason Corletta ignited the Golden Flyers' offense in the opening minute as each shooter connected on their first attempts. Corletta's three gave Nazareth a 5-0 lead just 43 seconds into the game. The Pioneers answered with nine straight points, then the teams traded baskets. In the first 11 minutes, the game featured nine lead changes and three ties.
Utica stretched its lead to 31-23 following a brief 8-1 scoring run. Nazareth answered by finishing the half with a 13-2 scoring run. The Golden Flyers' defense allowed the Pioneers just one field goal in the final five minutes of the period. Stephens started the run with a jumper, which was followed by a three by Corletta. Hayford added two baskets in a span of 23 seconds. Corletta and junior Dan Waldbillig each added two free throws to give Nazareth a 38-35 lead at halftime.
Prior to the Golden Flyers' second half scoring run, the Pioneers and Golden Flyers traded the lead before Corletta connected on a three-pointer three minutes into the period to give Nazareth the lead for good. Utica stayed within two possessions of the Golden Flyers until Waldbillig's free throw and a three by Ford, which put Nazareth ahead by eight points.
Stephens finished with 17 points and Corletta added 16 points to go along with the 18 points by Ford and the 12 points by Hayford. Hayford entered the game averaging 2.8 rebounds per game and 2.5 points per game. Hayford's 12 boards helped Nazareth finish with a 39-38 edge on the glass. The Golden Flyers connected on about 42 percent (27-65) of their shots and pulled away by converting 84 percent (27-32) of their free throws.
Utica finished with five players in double-digits to stay in the game. Jeff Ward and Reggie German tallied 16 points apiece, followed by Matt Baldwin and Aaron Nevins, who each recorded 14 points. Jevin McClendon added 10 points for the Pioneers' offense. Ward and Jeffers collected 12 rebounds and 10 rebounds, respectively. Utica finished over 52 percent (33-63) shooting on its field goals, but were only 33 percent (6-18) from the charity stripe.