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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Senior
Rachel Pirozzolo scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds for host Nazareth Friday as the Godlen Flyers snapped a three-game losing streak in women's basketball with a 62-57 victory over Hartwick.
The victory kept alive Nazareth's hopes for an Empire 8 Conference playoff berth as the Golden Flyers improved to 4-8 in league games and 10-11 overall. It was Nazareth's second win over the Hawks this season. Hartwick dropped to 4-8 in the E8 and 6-14 overall.
With the score tied at 14-14 early in the first half, Nazareth embarked on a 14-4 scoring run to take its largest lead of the game, 28-18, following a basket by
Ashley Gallagher with 7:08 left in the half. Hartwick, however, went on a scoring run of its own, scoring 12 straight points to go up by two and eventually extending that advantage to four, 34-30, following a basket by Jordan Nichols with 3:37 left.
Nazareth recovered in time to take a five-point halftime lead, 40-35, as Pirozzolo converted a three-point play with :10 left in the half to provide the difference.
Nazareth never trailed in the second half and once again extended the lead to 10, 56-46, following a pair of free throws by
Jenee Vanderstyne with 6:57 left. Hartwick stayed close and drew within three, 60-57, following a pair of free throws by Heather Pruchansky, who led all scorers with 20 points.
Following a timeout, Nazareth was able to break the Hawks' full-court pressure as
Kylie Bartlett broke free for a layup in the closing seconds to bring the final margin to 62-57.
In addition to Pirozzolo's scoring, Nazareth got seven points each from Gallagher, Bartlett and
Brittany Wilson. Sophomore
Brittany Tallchief grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
For Hartwick, Pruchansky's 20 points included thee three-point baskets. Cassie Dresser finished with nine points.
Nazareth has four regular-season games left, including a game Saturday at home against front-running Ithaca at 2 p.m.