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ROCHESTER, NY -- Nazareth held on to defeat visiting RIT, 63-57, in the Empire 8 Conference women's basketball opener for both teams Saturdayn. The victory boosted Nazareth's overall record to 4-2, including 1-0 in the Empire 8. RIT is 2-4 and 0-1.
Nazareth senior
Lizzie Barlow (Cazenoiva, NY) led the team with 17 points, including 11 in the second half, and 10 rebounds. RIT's Sharon Dennis (Liverpool, NY) led all players with 20 points and 18 rebounds.
The Golden Flyers scored first and led the entire first half but were never able to break away. Sophomore
Hillary Simon (Homer, NY) drained a jumpshot with :02 seconds remaining in the first to give the Flyers a 35-30 lead going into the locker room.
RIT opened the second half with a 7-2 run and Danielle Furman (Coudersport, PA) scored a three-point field goal to tie the score 37-37 with 18:13 remaining. Nazareth came out of a timeout and went on their own 12-point run to take their biggest lead of the game 49-37. Junior #Rachel Pirozzolo# (Elmira, NY) scored seven of her eight points during that time.
The Tigers chipped away at Nazareth's lead and Tara Holaday tied the game again 57-57 with just 1:38 remaining in the second half. Barlow gave the Flyers a 59-57 lead converting on two key free throws with 1:18 remaining. Junior
Kelly Dunne (East Northport, NY) and sophomore
Mary Holland (Dryden, NY) each scored two free throws in the finals seconds to seal the 63-57 victory.
Dunne and Holland finished with 10 points each for Nazareth while Pirozzolo finished with eight. The Golden Flyers were just 5-16 from the arc and 18-28 from the line.
Nazareth is off until December 30 when they host Waynesburg of Pennsylvania in a non-league game at 4 pm.