ROCHESTER, NY -- Sophomore Jonathan Park scored the game-winning basket with :09 left and the Golden Flyers survived two last-second chances by St. John Fisher to hold on for a thrilling 75-73 men's basketball victory over the Cardinals at Mike Daley Court at the Kidera Gymnasium.
The game was played as part of the 13th annual Battle of the Beaks fundraiser for Golisano Children's Hospital. The Golden Flyers managed to win for the fifth straight time to improve to 14-4 overall and 6-1 in the Empire 8. The loss was the first in conference play for the Cardinals, who now stand at 11-7 overall and 6-1 in the E8.
With the game tied at 73-73 with time running down, Nazareth ran an isolation play for Park on the right block and the sophomore reeled in a pass from Zach Stenglein and banked in the game-winning basket. He finished with 16 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Stephen Gabel led the Golden Flyers with 20. Cody Green added 14 and Stenglein had 11 points, a career-high nine assists and five steals.
Nazareth dominated play for much of the first half and led by as many as 18 points before settling for a 47-34 halftime lead. Fisher stormed back in the second half by using a 14-2 scoring run over the first five minute to close within one point, 49-48.
Nazareth was able to stay ahead until :34 remained and Fisher's Dennis Hare sank two free throws to tie the score at 73-73. That set the stage for Park's late basket. After Park's basket, Fisher had two shots in the closing seconds, but Park blocked one attempt and other was off the mark as time expired.
Nazareth is home again Friday against Alfred at 5:30 p.m.