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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Sophomore Tyshun Stephens scored 18 points and junior Jason Corletta added 17 Tuesday for host Nazareth as the Golden Flyers snapped a three-game losing streak in men's basketball with a 79-71 victory over RIT.

Nazareth improved to 8-5 overall and 1-3 in the Empire 8 Conference. RIT lost for the first time in conference and is now 3-1 in E8 games and 6-7 overall.

After shooting poorly in weekend conference losses to Hartwick and Stevens, Nazareth shot much better against the Tigers, hitting 23 of 44 shots from the field overall (52.3 percent), including 7 of 18 from three-point range (38.9 percent).

Stephens went 6 for 9 from the field with three three-pointers and had four assists in addition to his 18 points. Corletta's sharp shooting came from the free throw line, where he sank 10 of 11 free throws. He also had four assists and six rebounds.

Stephens scored 10 of his points in the first half as the Golden Flyers surged to a 42-31 lead. The score was 32-31, before Nazareth ended the half by scoring 10 straight points. Freshman Brad Ford started the run by hitting a pair of free throws. Stephens and Corletta each drilled three-point shots and Corletta completed the surge with two foul shots.

The game stayed close in the second half as RIT closed within three points, 55-52, following three free throws by RJ Kalb. Nazareth answered with three-pointer by Stephens on its next possession and extended the lead to 10, 68-58, after a three-pointer by Phil Scaffidi with 4:28 left.

Nazareth stayed ahead by sinking free throws down the stretch. Stephens hit a pair with :52 left and Corletta canned four more in the final 21 seconds to preserve the win.

In addition to Stephens and Corletta, junior Greg Lothridge came off the bench to score 10 points with three rebounds and two blocks. RIT's Anthony Terry led all scorers with 20 points. Nate Korinchak added 16 and Brendan Harder had 13.

Nazareth is home again Friday to host Elmira in an Empire 8 Conference game at 8 p.m.