Box Score Box | Updated stats
ONEONTA, N.Y. -- Hartwick shot an incredible 59 percent (35-59) from the field to defeat visiting Nazareth 87-65 in a men's Empire 8 basketball game Saturday afternoon. Senior Tyshun Stephens finished with a team-high 21 points to lead Nazareth.

With the loss, the Golden Flyers fall to 11-6 overall and 4-2 in Empire 8 games. Nazareth is currently in third place in the Empire 8 standings. Ithaca and Stevens are each currently 4-1 in conference games. Hartwick improves to 15-2 overall with the victory. The Hawks are tied with the Golden Flyers in the conference standings as they also have a 4-2 record in the conference.

In the first half, Stephens provided Nazareth with a one-point lead, 12-11, about five minutes into the game. The Golden Flyers' held the lead for just 16 seconds as Chris Ryder answered with a layup for Hartwick to reclaim the Hawks' lead. The Hawks used a 12-2 run to take a 23-14 lead midway through the half. Hartwick forced Nazareth into four missed shots and a turnover during the 3:39 scoring run. The Hawks were 5-8 on their field goals, including two three-point baskets to build their lead.
 
Scaffidi's individual effort in the closing seconds of the half trimmed Nazareth's halftime deficit to 41-36. After stealing the ball in the closing seconds of the period, Scaffidi connected on a three-point shot before the buzzer sounded.
 
Nazareth opened the second half with a steal by Jake Fladd. Fladd's steal set up a two-point jumper by Stephens to trim Hartwick's lead to three points. The Hawks stretched their lead to double figures before sophomore Brad Ford's basket with 10:30 remaining cut Hartwick's lead to 62-56.
 
The Hawks' torrid offensive attack and tenacious defense took over in the final 10 minutes. Hartwick's defense held Nazareth without a field goal for over five minutes while the Hawks' offense connected on three consecutive shots. Hartwick finished the 12-1 run shooting 4-6 from the field and 4-4 from the free throw line. Many of Hartwick's baskets came on layups and short jumpers from in the paint. The Hawks finished with a 42-12 advantage in points scored in the paint. Coming into the game, Hartwick was shooting 44 percent from the field.
 
Nazareth attempted to rally from beyond the three-point arc as the Golden Flyers attempted 28 three-point shots but were only able to get nine to fall. Hartwick's defense held the Golden Flyers to 24-71 (34 percent) from the field for the game.
 
Ford finished with 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds while Scaffidi added 10 points. Senior Jason Corletta chipped in nine points and recorded a team-high four assists.
 
Ryder tallied a game-high 22 points for Hartwick. Jared Suderley (20 points), Mark Blazek (15 points), and Aaron Laing (12 points) also finished in double-digits in scoring. Ryder pulled in a game-high 12 rebounds to help give the Hawks a 44-32 advantage on the glass.

The Golden Flyers return to Nazareth to face St. John Fisher in another crucial Empire 8 game. Nazareth goes into Tuesday's game with a 6-0 record at the Kidera Gymnasium this season.