Box l Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Freshman Phil Scaffidi scored a team-high 22 points to lead Nazareth to an 88-78 victory over Elmira in an Empire 8 men's basketball contest. Senior Ryan McAdam added 21 points and a team-high nine rebounds for the Golden Flyers, followed by junior Corey McAdam who tallied 15 points and nine assists.

With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve to 12-13 overall and 9-7 in conference games. Nazareth clinched the fourth seed in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament with the victory as St. John Fisher finished the season with an 8-8 record in the conference. The Golden Flyers will play host Ithaca (24-1 overall, 15-1 E8) Saturday at 4 p.m. in the semi-finals of the tournament.

After cutting Nazareth's lead to 42-40 at halftime, Elmira tied the score with the opening basket of the second half. Scaffidi answered for the Golden Flyers as he connected on a three-point basket to reclaim the Golden Flyers' advantage on Nazareth's ensuing possession. The Soaring Eagles twice cut the Golden Flyers' lead to three points in the first six minutes of the second half, but Nazareth maintained its lead with well-timed baskets.

Scaffidi was instrumental in extending the Golden Flyers' lead as he forced multiple Elmira turnovers that led to fast-break baskets. Scaffidi's layup with 12:07 left to play gave Nazareth a 64-55 advantage and the Golden Flyers took a double-digit lead on their next possession following two free throws from freshman Jason Corletta.

The Soaring Eagles' last rally attempt cut Nazareth's lead to five points, 75-70, with 5:43 to play, but the Golden Flyers scored the next five points of the game to secure the victory.

Senior Jeff DeHimer finished with 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds while Corletta finished with eight points. Seniors Chris Barrett and Joe Mihalich each scored two points in their final regular season game at Nazareth.

Elmira was lead by Bobby DiPiazza, who tallied a game-high 32 points. Bryan Mathews and Jon Adamson also finished in double-digits with 13 points and 11 points respectively. The Soaring Eagles held a 34-30 edge in rebounds, but the Golden Flyers forced Elmira to make 20 turnovers.