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CORTLAND, N.Y. – Visiting Nazareth ended its three-game losing streak by routing Cortland 87-56 in a non-conference men's basketball game Wednesday evening. The Golden Flyers exploded for 58 points in the first 20 minutes to take a 58-21 lead at halftime. In the first half, Jason Corletta, Tyshun Stephens, and Brad Ford amassed 16 points, 14 points, and 13 points, respectively, to build the Golden Flyers' insurmountable lead.
 
With the victory, Nazareth improves to 6-4 overall. The Red Dragons fall to 8-3 overall with the loss. Coming into the game, Cortland had won six of its last seven games, including a 93-63 victory over SUNYIT.  The Red Dragons connected on a school-record 17 three-point shots against SUNYIT on December 17th. Before Wednesday's contest, Nazareth's most recent game was also 18 days ago, which was a 63-60 loss to New Jersey City. The Golden Flyers' win against Cortland was the first road victory of the season. Nazareth came into the game 0-3 on the road.
 
After trailing 4-2 in the first 84 seconds of the game, the Golden Flyers' offense exploded to take a commanding 37-point lead at halftime. Nazareth had a game-high 38-point lead with 58 seconds remaining in the period following Hayford's three-point basket.

The Golden Flyers drove to the basket effectively in the opening minutes of the game, which resulted in the Red Dragons' defense switching to a zone. Stephens was especially difficult for Cortland's defense to prevent from driving to the basket.
 
When the Red Dragons switched to the zone, the three-point shot opened for the Golden Flyers, who connected on 10 three-point baskets in the first 20 minutes. Nazareth finished 77 percent (10-13) from beyond the arc in the first half. Phil Scaffidi, Jamell Johnson, Scott Hayford, Stephens, Corletta, and Ford each recorded at least one three-point basket in the first half. To support its offense, Nazareth's defense also held the Red Dragons without a field goal for the final 4:11 of the first period.
 
Cortland's Harrison Hefele opened the second half with the first five points of the period before Ford answered with his fourth three-pointer to stymie the Red Dragons' scoring run. Cortland was able trim its deficit to 24 points twice in the final 6:05 of regulation, but the Red Dragons were unable to threaten Nazareth's lead thanks to the Golden Flyers' colossal first half advantage.
 
Coming into the game, Cortland had limited opponents to 36 percent shooting from the field, which ranked fifth nationally. Nazareth recorded a torrid 65 percent (22-34) from the field in the first half. The Golden Flyers finished shooting 57 percent (32-56) from the field for the game, including 67 percent (14-21) from beyond the arc.
 
Corletta finished with a game-high 22 points, followed by Ford with 21 points, and Stephens with 19 points. Corletta finished 9-13 (69 percent) from the field, including 3-5 on his three-point shots. Ford finished 8-12 (67 percent) from the field, including 5-6 from beyond the arc. In addition to the 62 combined points from Corletta, Ford, and Stephens, Johnson tallied eight points, followed by Hayford with seven points, and Scaffidi with six points. Seniors Jake Fladd and Greg Lothridge also added two points apiece.
 
Stephens recorded a game-high five assists while Ford collected a game-high 10 rebounds. The Golden Flyers finished with a 36-22 advantage in total rebounds despite playing without Dan Waldbillig, who entered the game ranked second on the team in boards with an average of 5.2 rebounds per game.
 
Cortland's Jesse Winter came into game with 15.3 points per game, but the Golden Flyers' defense limited him to two points on 1-7 shooting from the field in the first half. Winter finished with eight total points. Jeremy Smith (12.1 ppg) and Brian Manning (11.9 ppg) were held to a total of 11 points by Nazareth's defense. Hefele finished with a team-high 12 points for the Red Dragons.
 
The Golden Flyers open their Empire 8 conference schedule Friday evening at Utica. On Saturday, Nazareth plays at Ithaca in another conference contest. The Golden Flyers return to the Kidera Gymnasium for a non-conference game against Wells on January 10th.