Box Score Box l Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Senior Greg Lothridge amassed a game-high 21 points, collected 14 rebounds, and recorded six blocks to lead host Nazareth to a 77-61 victory over Stevens in a men's Empire 8 Conference basketball game on Saturday afternoon. Senior Phil Scaffidi and sophomore Brad Ford added 16 points and 14 points, respectively.

With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve 16-8 overall and 9-4 in conference games. The Ducks drop to 19-5 overall and 10-3 in Empire 8 contests. Nazareth currently stands in third place in the conference standings. Hartwick was in first in the conference, followed by Stevens. Ithaca trails the Golden Flyers for the third spot. The Bombers were 7-5 going into their game at Alfred.

Nazareth finished the first half on an 8-0 scoring run in the final 2:44 of the period. Junior Tyshun Stephens scored the first five points of the run with a three-pointer, then he connected on a two-point jumper in the final minute. Senior Dominique Kendrick converted on another shot from outside the arc before the buzzer sounded to give the Golden Flyers a 37-34 lead at the break. Kendrick's three-pointer gave Nazareth its first lead of the game. The Golden Flyers forced the Ducks into three missed shots and two turnovers during their 8-0 run. Stevens led by as many as 10 points, 22-12, midway through the first period after a 12-2 run.

Ford connected on a three-point basket to lift Nazareth to a six-point lead 23 seconds into the second half. Four minutes into the period Stevens trimmed its deficit to one point, 40-39, but the Golden Flyers answered with a 7-0 run in a span of just 42 seconds to stretch their lead. Ford had a layup, which was followed by two free throws by Stephens. Scaffidi capped the run with a three.

The Golden Flyers allowed the Ducks to close to within one possession, 47-45, with one final scoring run, but responded with a 12-2 run to claim a 59-47 lead with 8:13 to play in regulation. Lothridge took control of the game during the run as he scored 10 consecutive Golden Flyer points with four layups and a thunderous dunk. The dunk by Lothridge provided the Golden Flyers with their first double-digit lead of the game. Sophomore Scott Hayford stretched Nazareth's lead with two free throws following Lothridge's domination in the paint.

The Golden Flyers' lead swelled to a game-high 20 points quickly after a consecutive shots from outside the arc by sophomore Jack Giles and Ford. After the threes, Ford and Scaffidi converted two free throws apiece. The Ducks were not able to cut Nazareth's lead to single digits after the Golden Flyers' run.

With injuries plaguing Nazareth's roster and Stephens in foul trouble, the Golden Flyers received valuable playing time from Giles, Hayford, Kendrick, and Lothridge who each recorded at least 10 minutes of action. Stephens, Hayford, and Kendrick each tallied seven points. Giles added three points and two steals. Stephens finished the contest with a game-high six assists. Lothridge's dominance on the glass provided Nazareth with a 40-36 advantage on the glass. Lothridge finished one point away from his career-high.

Sheldon Jones finished with a team-high 17 points for Stevens. Simon Smith recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds. Russ Thompson and Mike Cutri each chipped in 10 points for the Ducks' offense. The Golden Flyers' defense held the Ducks to under 40 percent (23-58) shooting for the game and finished a plus-two in the turnover battle.

Nazareth closes the regular season at St. John Fisher on February 18th. The conference tournament will be played at the site of the highest seed on February 24th and 25th.