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KEUKA PARK, N.Y. -- Sixth-seeded RIT secured an early lead and never trailed Wednesday against Nazareth in an opening-round men's basketball game at the annual Wendy's College Classic at Keuka College. The Tigers went on to take a 73-56 victory over the Golden Flyers.

The Golden Flyers shot just 34.8 percent from the field (23 for 66) and just 2 for 18 from three-point range (11.1 percent). They struggled from the free-throw line as well, hitting just 8 of 15 tries.

The loss dropped Nazareth to 9-5 overall and pushed them into a Friday afternoon consolation game against Keuka at the University of Rochester at 3:30 p.m. RIT will play St. John Fisher in the semifinals Friday at 8:15 p.m. at UR. Fisher defeated Keuka, 69-45, in Wednesday's other first-round match-up.

RIT's victory avenged an earlier defeat to the Golden Flyers, who won at home 76-58 Jan. 5 in an Empire 8 Conference game. Nazareth's shooting woes began early as it made just 12 of 36 first-half shots (33.3) and went 1 for 9 from three-point range. RIT took advantage by bolting to a 41-29 halftime lead and the Golden Flyers couldn't recover.

RIT led by as many as 15 points in the first half, 35-20, following a basket by Anthony Terry with 5:31 left. Two baskets by Jason Corletta to open the second half brought the Golden Flyers to within eight points, 41-33, but the Tigers answered with five straight points and the lead never left double digits again.

Terry led all scorers with 19 points. Brendan Harder added 18 points and 10 rebounds and Scott Young contributed 14 points and seven rebounds. Nate Korinchak had five assists.

Corletta had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Nazareth and Greg Lothridge had 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Senior Corey McAdam, averaging 20 points per game, was held to a season-low eight points on 4 for 15 shooting and four assists.