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FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Senior Erica Shaw tallied a team-high 12 points for visiting Nazareth, however, Fredonia's tenacious defense provided the Blue Devils the opportunity to pull away for the 70-52 non-conference victory in Thursday's women's basketball game. The contest marked the first game of the 2012-13 season for each team.

Fredonia surged to a 30-12 lead in the first 12:24 of the game thanks to 11 Nazareth turnovers during that span. Seven different Blue Devils scored, which included a 22-2 run. Shaw had the Golden Flyers' lone bucket to temporarily trim the Fredonia lead to seven points, 19-12.

In the final minute of the half, Nazareth closed to within seven points again, 32-25, following a jumper by freshman Lindsey Kelly. Freshman Veronica Peck ignited the Golden Flyers' 13-2 run with a three-point basket, which was followed by a basket apiece by freshman Gwen Dougherty, Shaw, and sophomores Melissa Reeves and Hannah Runyon. Kelly capped the run with her second jumper of it.

After Fredonia's lead swelled back to 10 points after a three-pointer, Runyon connected on one of two free throws to allow Nazareth to settle for a 35-26 deficit at the break. The Golden Flyers collected the rebound following Runyon's missed free throw, but they were unable to convert the extra scoring opportunity in the final seconds of the half.

Similar to the first half, Fredonia opened the second half with another scoring run to pull away from Nazareth. The Blue Devils tallied 11 of the first 13 points to take an 18-point lead roughly four minutes into the second half. The Golden Flyers closed their deficit to within 10 points, 50-40, with 10:21 to play in regulation, but Nazareth was unable to threaten Fredonia's lead.

The Golden Flyers' struggles at the free throw line made it challenging for Nazareth to cut its deficit. Nazareth finished 7-19 (37%) from the charity stripe during the game. The Blue Devils, meanwhile, were 19-27 (70%) from the free throw line during the contest. Fredonia also forced the Golden Flyers into making 22 turnovers. Both teams shot around 35 percent from the field, which made the difference in free throw percentage a more significant factor. Nazareth's defense forced Fredonia into committing 16 turnovers.

Following Shaw, Runyon finished with nine points while Peck, Kelly, Reeves, and junior Megan Morrison each scored six points. Dougherty and sophomore Maria Allocco added four points and three points, respectively.

Becky Hebert finished with a game-high 22 points to lead all scorers. Sabrina Macaulay and Jenna Austin also finished in double-digits in scoring. Macaulay recorded 11 points, and Austin chipped in 10 points.

The Blue Devils finished with a 48-42 advantage in total rebounds and a 14-6 advantage in steals to claim extra possessions and slow Nazareth's offensive attack. Kelly finished with a game-high nine rebounds for the Golden Flyers.

The Golden Flyers are home this weekend to host the second annual Onnie's Classic. Nazareth plays Keuka Saturday at 3 p.m. and Vassar Sunday at 1 p.m. Other games are Brockport vs. Vassar Saturday at 1 p.m. and Brockport vs. Keuka Sunday at 3.

Proceeds from the tournament will be used to support the Onnie Wells Child Life Activity Room in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Golisano Children's Hospital.