By: Nazareth Athletics
UTICA, NY -- Visiting Nazareth built a 10-point halftime lead and then held off a late charge by Utica Saturday to take a 79-71 men's basketball victory over the Pioneers in Empire 8 Conference action.
The triumph enabled the Golden Flyers to complete a weekend sweep of conference road games. Nazareth also won at Sage Friday and now stands at 11-4 overall and 3-1 in E8 action. Utica, which also lost to St. John Fisher Friday, dropped to 12-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The teams play again Feb. 14 at Nazareth.
Juniors Stephen Gabel and Kevin Underwood each recorded double-doubles for the Golden Flyers, who led 42-32 at halftime. Gabel's had 10 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the weekend and fifth of the season. Underwood came off the bench to post 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Sophomore Zach Stenglein fouled out late in the game, but not before scoring a game-high 18 points to go with four assists and two blocks. Senior Cody Green sank three three-point baskets and finished with 16 points.
Nazareth used a nine-point scoring run in the first half to erase a one-point deficit to take the lead for good at 26-18. The run began with two free throws by Gabel and ended with a three-pointer by Gabel. The lead reached double digits with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Green nailed a three-point shot and Underwood added a basket and a pair of free throws to enable Nazareth to leave the floor with a 42-32 advantage.
In the second half, Nazareth's lead grew as large as 18 points, 57-39, following a three-pointer by Stenglein with 14:54 left. The Pioneers chipped away and closed to within five, 76-71, in the closing minute. Green helped to seal the deal by sinking three free throws in the final seconds.
The teams finished with identical shooting percentages (26-for-62, 41.9%), but Nazareth made seven three-pointers to Utica's four and went 20-for-28 from the free-throw line compared to Utica's 15-for-22.
Nazareth returns home for a pair of conference games next weekend. The Golden Flyers host Hartwick Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Elmira Saturday at 2.