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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth used a 16-2 scoring run midway through the second half to take the lead for good on its way to an 89-81 victory over visiting Utica in a men's Empire 8 basketball game on Saturday afternoon. The Golden Flyers had six players tally at least eight points to pull away from the Pioneers.

Following the victory, Nazareth improves to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in Empire 8 games. Utica drops to 5-10 overall and 2-4 in conference games.

Junior Brad Ford amassed 11 points during Nazareth's decisive 16-2 scoring run which broke a 48-48 tie. Ford ignited the run with a layup, which was followed by a three-point basket by junior Jack Giles. Following two free throws by senior Tyshun Stephens, Ford demonstrated his all-around scoring ability as he connected on a layup, three-point shot, two free throws, and a jumper. The run put Nazareth ahead 64-50 with just under 11 minutes to play in regulation.

Ford entered Saturday's contest as the Golden Flyers' leading scorer with an average of 18.7 points per game. Ford increased his average with a team-high 27 points against the Pioneers. He fell just shy of his career-high 31 points that he scored earlier this season against Wells.

Following the scoring run, Utica closed to within three points, 64-61 after a basket by Aaron Nevins with 7:32 to play in the second period. Stephens, however, responded for Nazareth on the Golden Flyers' next possession with a three-point basket. Nazareth made nine free throw attempts in the final 1:18 to secure the victory.

The Pioneers seized the lead to open the second half following a layup by Nevins. Junior Scott Hayford answered with a three-point basket, which was followed by a two-point jumper by Stephens to reclaim the Golden Flyers' lead. Utica managed to tie the game twice after Stephens' shot, but the Pioneers were unable to take another lead.

In the first half, Nazareth led by 10 points before settling for a 37-all score at halftime. Senior Dan Waldbillig's layup put the Golden Flyers ahead 26-16 with 10:32 to play in the half. With Utica leading 11-10, freshman Maurice Mills made a layup to start the early scoring run. Ford and Stephens converted three-point attempts on consecutive Nazareth possessions to extend the lead. Ford added two additional buckets from inside the arc and Hayford followed with a layup before Waldbillig's bucket.

Ford shot over 64 percent (9-14) from the field to amass his 27 points. Stephens followed with 22 points. Hayford and Mills recorded 13 points and 11 points, respectively, while Giles and Waldbillig added eight points apiece for Nazareth's offensive attack. The Golden Flyers finished with 10 three-point baskets and held Utica to six buckets from beyond the arc. Stephens recorded a game-high nine assists to generate Nazareth scoring opportunities.

Connor Maisch tallied a game-high 28 points to lead the Pioneers in scoring. Maisch was followed by Nevins with 12 points, Matt Baldwin with 11 points, and Marion Lewis with 10 points. Maisch entered the contest leading Utica in scoring with an average of 15 points per game.

Utica finished with a 37-35 edge in total rebounds despite Maisch having the team-high with only eight boards. Ford finished with a game-high 10 rebounds for Nazareth to record his ninth double-double of the season. Mills also recorded eight rebounds. The Golden Flyers were without the services of freshman Mitch Ford, who ranks third on the team in average total rebounds.

The Golden Flyers play four consecutive road games in the Empire 8 before returning to the Kidera Gymnasium on the 25th to host Alfred. Nazareth's first road game is Tuesday evening at East Ave-rival St. John Fisher.