ROCHESTER, NY – Senior Rachel Benedict scored 21 points and grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds as the Nazareth College women's basketball team rebounded from its first loss of the season to defeat the University of Rochester 67-50 Saturday night in the second round of the Mark's Pizzeria Crosstown Shootout at RIT.
It was the biggest win over Rochester (3-3) since 1997-98 when Nazareth (4-1) scored a 20-point win over the Yellowjackets. Nazareth last beat Rochester in 2009-10 with a 14-point victory. The Golden Flyers also won both meeting in 1999-2000 by 10 and 13 points and had a two-point win in 1998-99.
The 19 rebounds by Benedict, who was named to the all-tournament team, were the most since she grabbed 18 against Clarkson last season.
The Golden Flyers struggled early and Rochester built a 15-8 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Nazareth rallied in the second quarter outscoring the Yellowjackets 19-8 and took a 27-23 lead at the halftime intermission.
Benedict nailed a 3-pointer to start the second half as the Golden Flyers pushed ahead and added five more points to their overall lead to take a 41-32 lead by the end of three quarters.
Sophomores Jadyn Abrams and Caley Cornwell each hit 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter and Benedict added another 3-pointer as Nazareth stretched the lead 18 points and cruised to the win.
Abrams finished with 18 points while sophomore Kim Davis added eight points and senior Kristen Simmons chipped in seven points and a team-leading six assists.
Nazareth returns home for the first of three straight home games Tuesday against Hamilton. The first game of a women's – men's doubleheader is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start. The men will play a 7 p.m. game against Oswego.