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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Utica defeated Nazareth Friday in a key Empire 8 Conference game for men's basketball as the Pioneers regained sole possession of third place in the standings with a 92-86 victory over the Golden Flyers.

The Nazareth defeat snapped a six-game winning streak for the Golden Flyers, who stand at 10-12 overall and 7-6 in conference games. Utica is 14-8 overall and 8-5 in the Empire 8. Idle St. John Fisher stands a half-game in front of Nazareth in the conference standings with a 7-5 league record. The Cardinals visit Ithaca Saturday at 2 p.m.

Nazareth trailed 47-46 at halftime, but Nazareth scored first in the second half on a basket by freshman Jason Corletta to take a 48-47 lead. Utica answered with a basket by James Patterson on its next possession and the Pioneers never trailed again.

Nazareth stayed close and was still within one point, 68-67, following a basket by Corey McAdam with 7:56 to play. Utica's Patrick Goodman hit a three-pointer to trigger an 8-2 scoring run to expand the lead to seven, 76-69, with 6:30 to go.

The Pioneers stayed in front by hitting free throws down the stretch. They went 12 for 13 from the stripe in the second half with Patterson and Doug Herring each making four in the final 3:38 to preserve the lead.

Corey McAdam scored 28 points to lead all scorers. He also had five assists and thee steals. Corletta contributed a career-high 20 on 7 for 9 shooting. He also grabbed eight rebounds. Ryan McAdam scored 16, although he made just one three-pointer in nine attempts, and Jeff DeHimer had 10.

Goodman scored 24 for Utica and Patterson added 19 and Herring 17.

Nazareth plays again Tuesday at RIT at 8 p.m.